Home base station for multiple room coverage with multiple transmitters

ABSTRACT

The embodiments described herein include a transmitter that transmits a power transmission signal (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signal waves) to create a three-dimensional pocket of energy. At least one receiver can be connected to or integrated into electronic devices and receive power from the pocket of energy. The transmitter can locate the at least one receiver in a three-dimensional space using a communication medium (e.g., Bluetooth technology). The transmitter generates a waveform to create a pocket of energy around each of the at least one receiver. The transmitter uses an algorithm to direct, focus, and control the waveform in three dimensions. The receiver can convert the transmission signals (e.g., RF signals) into electricity for powering an electronic device. Accordingly, the embodiments for wireless power transmission can allow powering and charging a plurality of electrical devices without wires.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S.Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/946,065, filed Jul. 19,2013, entitled “Home Base Station for Multiple Room Coverage withMultiple Transmitters,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

This application relates to U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser.No. 14/583,625, filed Dec. 27, 2014, entitled “Receivers for WirelessPower Transmission,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No.14/583,630, filed Dec. 27, 2014, entitled “Methodology forPocket-Forming,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No.14/583,634, filed Dec. 27, 2014, entitled “Transmitters for WirelessPower Transmission,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No.14/583,640, filed Dec. 27, 2014, entitled “Methodology for MultiplePocket-Forming,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No.14/583,641, filed Dec. 27, 2014, entitled “Wireless Power Transmissionwith Selective Range,” U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No.14/583,643, filed Dec. 27, 2014, entitled “Method for 3 DimensionalPocket-Forming,” all of which are incorporated herein by reference intheir entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to wireless power transmission.

BACKGROUND

Portable electronic devices such as smart phones, tablets, notebooks andother electronic devices have become an everyday need in the way wecommunicate and interact with others. The frequent use of these devicesmay require a significant amount of power, which may easily deplete thebatteries attached to these devices. Therefore, a user is frequentlyneeded to plug in the device to a power source, and recharge suchdevice. This may require having to charge electronic equipment at leastonce a day, or in high-demand electronic devices more than once a day.

Such an activity may be tedious and may represent a burden to users. Forexample, a user may be required to carry chargers in case his electronicequipment is lacking power. In addition, users have to find availablepower sources to connect to. Lastly, users must plugin to a wall orother power supply to be able to charge his or her electronic device.However, such an activity may render electronic devices inoperableduring charging.

Current solutions to this problem may include devices havingrechargeable batteries. However, the aforementioned approach requires auser to carry around extra batteries, and also make sure that the extraset of batteries is charged. Solar-powered battery chargers are alsoknown, however, solar cells are expensive, and a large array of solarcells may be required to charge a battery of any significant capacity.Other approaches involve a mat or pad that allows charging of a devicewithout physically connecting a plug of the device to an electricaloutlet, by using electromagnetic signals. In this case, the device stillrequires to be placed in a certain location for a period of time inorder to be charged. Assuming a single source power transmission ofelectro-magnetic (EM) signal, an EM signal power gets reduced by afactor proportional to 1/r² over a distance r, in other words, it isattenuated proportional to the square of the distance. Thus, thereceived power at a large distance from the EM transmitter is a smallfraction of the power transmitted. To increase the power of the receivedsignal, the transmission power would have to be boosted. Assuming thatthe transmitted signal has an efficient reception at three centimetersfrom the EM transmitter, receiving the same signal power over a usefuldistance of three meters would entail boosting the transmitted power by10,000 times. Such power transmission is wasteful, as most of the energywould be transmitted and not received by the intended devices, it couldbe hazardous to living tissue, it would most likely interfere with mostelectronic devices in the immediate vicinity, and it may be dissipatedas heat.

In yet another approach such as directional power transmission, it wouldgenerally require knowing the location of the device to be able to pointthe signal in the right direction to enhance the power transmissionefficiency. However, even when the device is located, efficienttransmission is not guaranteed due to reflections and interference ofobjects in the path or vicinity of the receiving device. In addition, inmany use cases the device is not stationary, which is an addeddifficulty.

SUMMARY

The embodiments described herein include a transmitter that transmits apower transmission signal (e.g., radio frequency (RF) signal waves) tocreate a three-dimensional pocket of energy. At least one receiver canbe connected to or integrated into electronic devices and receive powerfrom the pocket of energy. The transmitter can locate the at least onereceiver in a three-dimensional space using a communication medium(e.g., Bluetooth technology). The transmitter generates a waveform tocreate a pocket of energy around each of the at least one receiver. Thetransmitter uses an algorithm to direct, focus, and control the waveformin three dimensions. The receiver can convert the transmission signals(e.g., RF signals) into electricity for powering an electronic deviceand/or for charging a battery. Accordingly, the embodiments for wirelesspower transmission can allow powering and charging a plurality ofelectrical devices without wires.

In one embodiment, a base station for wireless power transmission maycomprise: a micro-controller connected to a power source; and aplurality of transmitters connected to the base station, wherein thetransmitters are configured to generate power transmission waves forminga pocket of energy to power an electronic device within range of atleast one of the transmitters.

Additional features and advantages of an embodiment will be set forth inthe description which follows, and in part will be apparent from thedescription. The objectives and other advantages of the invention willbe realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out inthe exemplary embodiments in the written description and claims hereofas well as the appended drawings.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and areintended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure are described by wayof example with reference to the accompanying figures which areschematic and are not intended to be drawn to scale. Unless indicated asrepresenting the background art, the figures represent aspects of thedisclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system overview, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates steps of wireless power transmission, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates an architecture for wireless power transmission,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates components of a system of wireless power transmissionusing pocket-forming procedures, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates steps of powering a plurality of receiver devices,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6A illustrates waveforms for wireless power transmission withselective range, which may get unified in single waveform.

FIG. 6B illustrates waveforms for wireless power transmission withselective range, which may get unified in single waveform.

FIG. 7 illustrates wireless power transmission with selective range,where a plurality of pockets of energy may be generated along variousradii from transmitter.

FIG. 8 illustrates wireless power transmission with selective range,where a plurality of pockets of energy may be generated along variousradii from transmitter.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a diagram of an architecture for wirelesslycharging client computing platform, according to an exemplary embodiment

FIG. 10A illustrates wireless power transmission using multiplepocket-forming, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10B illustrates multiple adaptive pocket-forming, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates a diagram of a system architecture for wirelesslycharging client devices, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 illustrates a method for determining receiver location usingantenna element, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13A illustrates an array subset configuration, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13B illustrates an array subset configuration, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 14 illustrates a flat transmitter, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 15A illustrates a transmitter, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 15B illustrates a box transmitter, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 16 illustrates a diagram of an architecture for incorporatingtransmitter into different devices, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 17 illustrates a transmitter configuration according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 18A illustrates multiple rectifiers connected in parallel to anantenna element, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 18B illustrates multiple antenna elements connected in parallel toa rectifier, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 19A illustrates multiple antenna elements outputs combined andconnected to parallel rectifiers, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 19B illustrates groups of antenna elements connected to differentrectifiers, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 20A illustrates a device with an embedded receiver, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 20B illustrates a battery with an embedded receiver, according toan exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 20C illustrates external hardware that may be attached to a device,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 21A illustrates hardware in the form of case, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 21B illustrates hardware in the form of a printed film or flexibleprinted circuit board, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 22 illustrates internal hardware according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 23 illustrates a portable transmitter with a power plug which mayconnect a portable wireless transmitter to one or more power outlets,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 24 illustrates a transmitter where a plurality of power plugsconnect a portable wireless transmitter to a variety of power sourcesand/or electric adapters, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 25 illustrates a wireless power transmission system where atransmitter may include a button which upon activation may create atleast one pocket of energy, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 26 illustrates a block diagram of an enhanced wireless powertransmitter which may be used for wireless power transmission, accordingto an embodiment.

FIG. 27 illustrates a transmitter arrangement of antenna elements whichmay be coupled to a dedicated receiving radio frequency integratedcircuit (RFIC), according to an embodiment.

FIG. 28 illustrates a block diagram of a dedicated receiving RFIC in anenhanced wireless power transmitter, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 29 illustrates a component level embodiment for a wireless powersystem including three transmitters, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 30 illustrates a wireless power system including two transmittersin two different rooms, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 31 illustrates a wireless power system including two transmittersplugged into light sockets in two different rooms, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 32 illustrates an internal hardware used as a receiver and embeddedwithin a smartphone case, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 33 illustrates a block diagram of receiver which can be used forwireless powering or charging one or more electronic devices, accordingto an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 34 illustrates a power conversion process that may be implementedin a receiver during wireless power transmission, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 35 illustrates a system architecture diagram, according anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 36 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a wireless power networkincluding a transmitter and wireless receivers, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 37 illustrates a wireless power transmission system network,according to an embodiment.

FIG. 38 illustrates a wireless power transmission system architecture,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 39 illustrates an exemplary computing device in which one or moreembodiments of the implementation may operate, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 40 illustrates a wireless energy transmission system fortransmitting wireless energy using adaptive 3-D pocket-formingtechniques, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 41 illustrates a flowchart of a pairing process, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 42 illustrates a flowchart of an un-pairing process, according toan exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 43 illustrates a tracking and positioning flowchart, according toan exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 44A illustrates wireless power transmission where a cellphonesreceives charge and/or power at low efficiency, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 44B illustrates wireless power transmission where a cellphonesreceives charge and/or power at low efficiency, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 45 illustrates a flowchart of a charge request process, accordingto an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 46 illustrates an example routine that may be utilized by amicro-controller from transmitter to authenticate devices requiringwireless power transmission, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 47 illustrates an example routine that may be utilized by amicro-controller from transmitter to deliver power to devices previouslyauthenticated in the routine, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 48 illustrates a transmitter creating at least one pocket of energyon a portable mat which may further re-direct power to other receivingdevices, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 49A illustrates a wireless power transmission system including atracer which may serve for establishing desired locations for thegeneration of pockets of energy over at least one receiving device,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 49B illustrates a wireless power transmission including a tracerwhich may serve for establishing desired locations for the generation ofpockets of energy over at least one receiving device, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 50 illustrates a wireless power transmission including a tracerwhich may serve for establishing desired locations for the generation ofpockets of energy over a plurality of receiving devices, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 51 illustrates a flowchart showing a method for automaticallyassigning subsets of antenna arrays for simultaneously powering two ormore client devices, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 52 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary routine that may beutilized by wireless power management software, which may be initiatedby system management GUI to command system to charge one or more clientdevices, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 53 illustrates a flowchart of a process to power a plurality ofclient devices using a time division multiplexing (TDM) method in awireless power transmission system, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 54 illustrates a flowchart of a process for adjusting the numbersof antennas assigned to a wireless power receiver so power transmissionfrom a wireless power transmitter to a receiver is more balanced,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 55A illustrates a block diagram of a transmitter which may beutilized for wireless power transmission, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 55B illustrates an exemplary illustration of a flat panel antennaarray that may be used in transmitter, according to an exemplaryembodiment.

FIG. 56A illustrates a single array where all antenna elements mayoperate at 5.8 GHz, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 56B illustrates pair array, where the top half of antenna elementsmay operate at 5.8 GHz and the bottom half may operate at 2.4 GHz,according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 56C illustrates a quad array where each antenna element may bevirtually divided to avoid power losses during wireless powertransmission, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 57 illustrates a chart depicting an exemplary distribution ofcommunication channels over time, employing TDM in wireless powertransmission, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 58 illustrates a diagram of an exemplary potential interactionbetween wireless power receivers and wireless power transmitters,according to some embodiments.

FIG. 59 illustrates a diagram or exemplary potential interaction ofwireless power receivers and wireless power transmitters that may bepart of wireless power transmission system architecture, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 60 illustrates a flow diagram generally illustrating an exemplarymethod for transmitting wireless power to a device, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 61 illustrates a flow diagram generally illustrating an exemplarymethod for monitoring wireless power transmitted to a device, accordingto an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 62 illustrates a flowchart of a method for monitoring batteryperformance in a wireless power transmission system, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 63 illustrates a sequence diagram of a method for monitoringbattery performance, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 64 illustrates a flowchart of a method for proscribing clientdevices from receiving power from a wireless power transmission system,based on proscribed circumstances of health safety, according to anexemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is here described in detail with reference toembodiments illustrated in the drawings, which form a part here. Otherembodiments may be used and/or other changes may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Theillustrative embodiments described in the detailed description are notmeant to be limiting of the subject matter presented here. Furthermore,embodiments described herewithin can be combined to form additionalembodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated inthe drawings, and specific language will be used here to describe thesame. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scopeof the invention is thereby intended. Alterations and furthermodifications of the inventive features illustrated here, and additionalapplications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated here,which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and havingpossession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the scope ofthe invention.

I. Systems and Methods for Wireless Power Transmissions

A. Components of System Embodiment

FIG. 1 shows a system 100 for wireless power transmission by formingpockets of energy 104. The system 100 may comprise transmitters 101,receivers 103, client devices 105, and pocket detectors 107.Transmitters 101 may transmit power transmission signals comprisingpower transmission waves, which may be captured by receivers 103. Thereceivers 103 may comprise antennas, antenna elements, and othercircuitry (detailed later), which may convert the captured waves into auseable source of electrical energy on behalf of client devices 105associated with the receivers 103. In some embodiments, transmitters 101may transmit power transmission signals, made up of power transmissionwaves, in one or more trajectories by manipulating the phase, gain,and/or other waveform features of the power transmission waves, and/orby selecting different transmit antennas. In such embodiments, thetransmitters 101 may manipulate the trajectories of the powertransmission signals so that the underlying power transmission wavesconverge at a location in space, resulting in certain forms ofinterference. One type of interference generated at the convergence ofthe power transmission waves, “constructive interference,” may be afield of energy caused by the convergence of the power transmissionwaves such that they add together and strengthen the energy concentratedat that location—in contrast to adding together in a way to subtractfrom each other and diminish the energy concentrated at that location,which is called “destructive interference”. The accumulation ofsufficient energy at the constructive interference may establish a fieldof energy, or “pocket of energy” 104, which may be harvested by theantennas of a receiver 103, provided the antennas are configured tooperate on the frequency of the power transmission signals. Accordingly,the power transmission waves establish pockets of energy 104 at thelocation in space where the receivers 103 may receive, harvest, andconvert the power transmission waves into useable electrical energy,which may power or charge associated electrical client devices 105.Detectors 107 may be devices comprising a receiver 103 that are capableof producing a notification or alert in response to receiving powertransmission signals. As an example, a user searching for the optimalplacement of a receiver 103 to charge the user's client device 105 mayuse a detector 107 that comprises an LED light 108, which may brightenwhen the detector 107 captures the power transmission signals from asingle beam or a pocket of energy 104.

1. Transmitters

The transmitter 101 may transmit or broadcast power transmission signalsto a receiver 103 associated with a device 105. Although several of theembodiments mentioned below describe the power transmission signals asradio frequency (RF) waves, it should be appreciated that the powertransmission signals may be physical media that is capable of beingpropagated through space, and that is capable of being converted into asource of electrical energy 103. The transmitter 101 may transmit thepower transmission signals as a single beam directed at the receivers103. In some cases, one or more transmitters 101 may transmit aplurality of power transmission signals that are propagated in amultiple directions and may deflect off of physical obstructions (e.g.,walls). The plurality of power transmission signals may converge at alocation in a three-dimensional space, forming a pocket of energy 104.Receivers 103 within the boundaries of an energy pocket 104 may captureand covert the power transmission signals into a useable source ofenergy. The transmitter 101 may control pocket-forming based on phaseand/or relative amplitude adjustments of power transmission signals, toform constructive interference patterns.

Although the exemplary embodiment recites the use of RF wavetransmission techniques, the wireless charging techniques should not belimited to RF wave transmission techniques. Rather, it should beappreciated that possible wireless charging techniques may include anynumber of alternative or additional techniques for transmitting energyto a receiver converting the transmitted energy to electrical power.Non-limiting exemplary transmission techniques for energy that can beconverted by a receiving device into electrical power may include:ultrasound, microwave, resonant and inductive magnetic fields, laserlight, infrared, or other forms of electromagnetic energy. In the caseof ultrasound, for example, one or more transducer elements may bedisposed so as to form a transducer array that transmits ultrasoundwaves toward a receiving device that receives the ultrasound waves andconverts them to electrical power. In the case of resonant or inductivemagnetic fields, magnetic fields are created in a transmitter coil andconverted by a receiver coil into electrical power. In addition,although the exemplary transmitter 101 is shown as a single unitcomprising potentially multiple transmitters (transmit array), both forRF transmission of power and for other power transmission methodsmentioned in this paragraph, the transmit arrays can comprise multipletransmitters that are physically spread around a room rather than beingin a compact regular structure.

The transmitter includes an antenna array where the antennas are usedfor sending the power transmission signal. Each antenna sends powertransmission waves where the transmitter applies a different phase andamplitude to the signal transmitted from different antennas. Similar tothe formation of pockets of energy, the transmitter can form a phasedarray of delayed versions of the signal to be transmitted, then appliesdifferent amplitudes to the delayed versions of the signal, and thensends the signals from appropriate antennas. For a sinusoidal waveform,such as an RF signal, ultrasound, microwave, or others, delaying thesignal is similar to applying a phase shift to the signal.

2. Pockets of Energy

A pocket of energy 104 may be formed at locations of constructiveinterference patterns of power transmission signals transmitted by thetransmitter 101. The pockets of energy 104 may manifest as athree-dimensional field where energy may be harvested by receivers 103located within the pocket of energy 104. The pocket of energy 104produced by transmitters 101 during pocket-forming may be harvested by areceiver 103, converted to an electrical charge, and then provided toelectronic client device 105 associated with the receiver 103 (e.g.,laptop computer, smartphone, rechargeable battery). In some embodiments,there may be multiple transmitters 101 and/or multiple receivers 103powering various client devices 105. In some embodiments, adaptivepocket-forming may adjust transmission of the power transmission signalsin order to regulate power levels and/or identify movement of thedevices 105.

3. Receivers

A receiver 103 may be used for powering or charging an associated clientdevice 105, which may be an electrical device coupled to or integratedwith the receiver 103. The receiver 103 may receive power transmissionwaves from one or more power transmission signals originating from oneor more transmitters 101. The receiver 103 may receive the powertransmission signals as a single beam produced by the transmitter 101,or the receiver 103 may harvest power transmission waves from a pocketof energy 104, which may be a three-dimensional field in space resultingfrom the convergence of a plurality of power transmission waves producedby one or more transmitters 101. The receiver 103 may comprise an arrayof antennas 112 configured to receive power transmission waves from apower transmission signal and harvest the energy from the powertransmission signals of the single beam or pocket of energy 104. Thereceiver 103 may comprise circuitry that then converts the energy of thepower transmission signals (e.g., the radio frequency electromagneticradiation) to electrical energy. A rectifier of the receiver 103 maytranslate the electrical energy from AC to DC. Other types ofconditioning may be applied, as well. For example, a voltageconditioning circuit may increase or decrease the voltage of theelectrical energy as required by the client device 105. An electricalrelay may then convey the electrical energy from the receiver 103 to theclient device 105.

In some embodiments, the receiver 103 may comprise a communicationscomponent that transmits control signals to the transmitter 101 in orderto exchange data in real-time or near real-time. The control signals maycontain status information about the client device 105, the receiver103, or the power transmission signals. Status information may include,for example, present location information of the device 105, amount ofcharge received, amount of charged used, and user account information,among other types of information. Further, in some applications, thereceiver 103 including the rectifier that it contains may be integratedinto the client device 105. For practical purposes, the receiver 103,wire 111, and client device 105 may be a single unit contained in asingle packaging.

4. Control Signals

In some embodiments, control signals may serve as data inputs used bythe various antenna elements responsible for controlling production ofpower transmission signals and/or pocket-forming. Control signals may beproduced by the receiver 103 or the transmitter 101 using an externalpower supply (not shown) and a local oscillator chip (not shown), whichin some cases may include using a piezoelectric material. Controlsignals may be RF waves or any other communication medium or protocolcapable of communicating data between processors, such as Bluetooth®,RFID, infrared, near-field communication (NFC). As detailed later,control signals may be used to convey information between thetransmitter 101 and the receiver 103 used to adjust the powertransmission signals, as well as contain information related to status,efficiency, user data, power consumption, billing, geo-location, andother types of information.

5. Detectors

A detector 107 may comprise hardware similar to receivers 103, which mayallow the detector 107 to receive power transmission signals originatingfrom one or more transmitters 101. The detector 107 may be used by usersto identify the location of pockets of energy 104, so that users maydetermine the preferable placement of a receiver 103. In someembodiments, the detector 107 may comprise an indicator light 108 thatindicates when the detector is placed within the pocket of energy 104.As an example, in FIG. 1, detectors 107 a, 107 b are located within thepocket of energy 104 generated by the transmitter 101, which may triggerthe detectors 107 a, 107 b to turn on their respective indicator lights108 a, 108 b, because the detectors 107 a, 107 b are receiving powertransmission signals of the pocket of energy 104; whereas, the indicatorlight 108 c of a third detector 107 c located outside of the pockets ofenergy 104, is turned off, because the third detector 107 c is notreceiving the power transmission signals from the transmitter 101. Itshould be appreciated that the functions of a detector, such as theindicator light, may be integrated into a receiver or into a clientdevice in alternative embodiments as well.

6. Client Device

A client device 105 may be any electrical device that requirescontinuous electrical energy or that requires power from a battery.Non-limiting examples of client devices 105 may include laptops, mobilephones, smartphones, tablets, music players, toys, batteries,flashlights, lamps, electronic watches, cameras, gaming consoles,appliances, GPS devices, and wearable devices or so-called “wearables”(e.g., fitness bracelets, pedometers, smartwatch), among other types ofelectrical devices.

In some embodiments, the client device 105 a may be a physical devicedistinct from the receiver 103 a associated with the client device 105a. In such embodiments, the client device 105 a may be connected to thereceiver over a wire 111 that conveys converted electrical energy fromthe receiver 103 a to the client device 105 a. In some cases, othertypes of data may be transported over the wire 111, such as powerconsumption status, power usage metrics, device identifiers, and othertypes of data.

In some embodiments, the client device 105 b may be permanentlyintegrated or detachably coupled to the receiver 103 b, thereby forminga single integrated product or unit. As an example, the client device105 b may be placed into a sleeve that has embedded receivers 103 b andthat may detachably couple to the device's 105 b power supply input,which may be typically used to charge the device's 105 b battery. Inthis example, the device 105 b may be decoupled from the receiver, butmay remain in the sleeve regardless of whether or not the device 105 brequires an electrical charge or is being used. In another example, inlieu of having a battery that holds a charge for the device 105 b, thedevice 105 b may comprise an integrated receiver 105 b, which may bepermanently integrated into the device 105 b so as to form an indistinctproduct, device, or unit. In this example, the device 105 b may relyalmost entirely on the integrated receiver 103 b to produce electricalenergy by harvesting pockets of energy 104. It should be clear tosomeone skilled in the art that the connection between the receiver 103and the client device 105 may be a wire 111 or may be an electricalconnection on a circuit board or an integrated circuit, or even awireless connection, such as inductive or magnetic.

B. Method of Wireless Power Transmission

FIG. 2 shows steps of wireless power transmission, according to anexemplary method 200 embodiment.

In a first step 201, a transmitter (TX) establishes a connection orotherwise associates with a receiver (RX). That is, in some embodiments,transmitters and receivers may communicate control data over using awireless communication protocol capable of transmitting informationbetween two processors of electrical devices (e.g., Bluetooth®,Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), Wi-Fi, NFC, ZigBee®). For example, inembodiments implementing Bluetooth® or Bluetooth® variants, thetransmitter may scan for receiver's broadcasting advertisement signalsor a receiver may transmit an advertisement signal to the transmitter.The advertisement signal may announce the receiver's presence to thetransmitter, and may trigger an association between the transmitter andthe receiver. As described herein, in some embodiments, theadvertisement signal may communicate information that may be used byvarious devices (e.g., transmitters, client devices, sever computers,other receivers) to execute and manage pocket-forming procedures.Information contained within the advertisement signal may include adevice identifier (e.g., MAC address, IP address, UUID), the voltage ofelectrical energy received, client device power consumption, and othertypes of data related to power transmission. The transmitter may use theadvertisement signal transmitted to identify the receiver and, in somecases, locate the receiver in a two-dimensional space or in athree-dimensional space. Once the transmitter identifies the receiver,the transmitter may establish the connection associated in thetransmitter with the receiver, allowing the transmitter and receiver tocommunicate control signals over a second channel.

In a next step 203, the transmitter may use the advertisement signal todetermine a set of power transmission signal features for transmittingthe power transmission signals, to then establish the pockets of energy.Non-limiting examples of features of power transmission signals mayinclude phase, gain, amplitude, magnitude, and direction among others.The transmitter may use information contained in the receiver'sadvertisement signal, or in subsequent control signals received from thereceiver, to determine how to produce and transmit the powertransmission signals so that the receiver may receive the powertransmission signals. In some cases, the transmitter may transmit powertransmission signals in a way that establishes a pocket of energy, fromwhich the receiver may harvest electrical energy. In some embodiments,the transmitter may comprise a processor executing software modulescapable of automatically identifying the power transmission signalfeatures needed to establish a pocket of energy based on informationreceived from the receiver, such as the voltage of the electrical energyharvested by the receiver from the power transmission signals. It shouldbe appreciated that the functions of the processor and the softwaremodules may instead be implemented in an Application Specific IntegratedCircuit (ASIC) also.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the advertisementsignal or subsequent signal transmitted by the receiver over a secondcommunications channel may indicate one or more power transmissionsignals features, which the transmitter may then use to produce andtransmit power transmission signals to establish a pocket of energy. Forexample, in some cases the transmitter may automatically identify thephase and gain necessary for transmitting the power transmission signalsbased on the location of the device and the type of device or receiver;and, in some cases, the receiver may inform the transmitter the phaseand gain for effectively transmitting the power transmission signals.

In a next step 205, after the transmitter determines the appropriatefeatures to use when transmitting the power transmission signals, thetransmitter may begin transmitting power transmission signals, over aseparate channel from the control signals. Power transmission signalsmay be transmitted to establish a pocket of energy. The transmitter'santenna elements may transmit the power transmission signals such thatthe power transmission signals converge in a two-dimensional orthree-dimensional space around the receiver. The resulting field aroundthe receiver forms a pocket of energy from which the receiver mayharvest electrical energy. One antenna element may be used to transmitpower transmission signals to establish two-dimensional energytransmissions; and in some cases, a second or additional antenna elementmay be used to transmit power transmission signals in order to establisha three-dimensional pocket of energy. In some cases plurality of antennaelements may be used to transmit power transmission signals in order toestablish the pocket of energy; and in some cases the plurality ofantennas may include all of the antennas in the transmitter; and in somecases the plurality of antennas may include only one or more of theantennas in the transmitter, but not all.

As previously mentioned, the transmitter may produce and transmit powertransmission signals, according to a determined set of powertransmission signal features, which may be produced and transmittedusing an external power source and a local oscillator chip comprising apiezoelectric material. The transmitter may comprise an RFIC thatcontrols production and transmission of the power transmission signalsbased on information related to power transmission and pocket-formingreceived from the receiver. This control data may be communicated over adifferent channel from the power transmission signals, using wirelesscommunications protocols, such as BLE, NFC, or ZigBee®. The RFIC of thetransmitter may automatically adjust the phase and/or relativemagnitudes of the power transmission signals as needed. Pocket-formingis accomplished by the transmitter transmitting the power transmissionsignals in a manner that forms constructive interference patterns.

Antenna elements of the transmitter may use concepts of waveinterference to determine certain power transmission signals features(e.g., direction of transmission, phase of power transmission signalwave), when transmitting the power transmission signals duringpocket-forming. The antenna elements may also use concepts ofconstructive interference to generate a pocket of energy, but may alsoutilize concepts of deconstructive interference to generate atransmission null in a particular physical location.

In some embodiments, the transmitter may provide power to a plurality ofreceivers using pocket-forming, which may require the transmitter toexecute a procedure for multiple pocket-forming. A transmittercomprising a plurality of antenna elements may accomplish multiplepocket-forming by automatically computing the phase and gain of powertransmission signal waves, for each antenna element of the transmittertasked with transmitting power transmission signals the respectivereceivers. The transmitter may compute the phase and gainsindependently, because multiple wave paths for each power transmissionsignal may be generated by the transmitter's antenna elements totransmit the power transmission signals to the respective antennaelements of the receiver.

As an example of the computation of phase/gain adjustments for twoantenna elements of the transmitter transmitting two signals, say X andY where Y is 180 degree phase shifted version of X(Y=−X). At a physicallocation where the cumulative received waveform is X−Y, a receiverreceives X−Y=X+X=2X, whereas at a physical location where the cumulativereceived waveform is X+Y, a receiver receives X+Y=X−X=0.

In a next step 207, the receiver may harvest or otherwise receiveelectrical energy from power transmission signals of a single beam or apocket of energy. The receiver may comprise a rectifier and AC/DCconverter, which may convert the electrical energy from AC current to DCcurrent, and a rectifier of the receiver may then rectify the electricalenergy, resulting in useable electrical energy for a client deviceassociated with the receiver, such as a laptop computer, smartphone,battery, toy, or other electrical device. The receiver may utilize thepocket of energy produced by the transmitter during pocket-forming tocharge or otherwise power the electronic device.

In next step 209, the receiver may generate control data containinginformation indicating the effectiveness of the single beam or energypockets providing the receiver power transmission signals. The receivermay then transmit control signals containing the control data, to thetransmitter. The control signals may be transmitted intermittently,depending on whether the transmitter and receiver are communicatingsynchronously (i.e., the transmitter is expecting to receive controldata from the receiver). Additionally, the transmitter may continuouslytransmit the power transmission signals to the receiver, irrespective ofwhether the transmitter and receiver are communicating control signals.The control data may contain information related to transmitting powertransmission signals and/or establishing effective pockets of energy.Some of the information in the control data may inform the transmitterhow to effectively produce and transmit, and in some cases adjust, thefeatures of the power transmission signals. Control signals may betransmitted and received over a second channel, independent from thepower transmission signals, using a wireless protocol capable oftransmitting control data related to power transmission signals and/orpocket-forming, such as BLE, NFC, Wi-Fi, or the like.

As mentioned, the control data may contain information indicating theeffectiveness of the power transmission signals of the single beam orestablishing the pocket of energy. The control data may be generated bya processor of the receiver monitoring various aspects of receiverand/or the client device associated with the receiver. The control datamay be based on various types of information, such as the voltage ofelectrical energy received from the power transmission signals, thequality of the power transmission signals reception, the quality of thebattery charge or quality of the power reception, and location or motionof the receiver, among other types of information useful for adjustingthe power transmission signals and/or pocket-forming.

In some embodiments, a receiver may determine the amount of power beingreceived from power transmission signals transmitted from thetransmitter and may then indicate that the transmitter should “split” orsegment the power transmission signals into less-powerful powertransmission signals. The less-powerful power transmission signals maybe bounced off objects or walls nearby the device, thereby reducing theamount of power being transmitted directly from the transmitter to thereceiver.

In a next step 211, the transmitter may calibrate the antennastransmitting the power transmission signals, so that the antennastransmit power transmission signals having a more effective set offeature (e.g., direction, phase, gain, amplitude). In some embodiments,a processor of the transmitter may automatically determine moreeffective features for producing and transmitting the power transmissionsignals based on a control signal received from the receiver. Thecontrol signal may contain control data, and may be transmitted by thereceiver using any number of wireless communication protocols (e.g.,BLE, Wi-Fi, ZigBee®). The control data may contain information expresslyindicating the more effective features for the power transmission waves;or the transmitter may automatically determine the more effectivefeatures based on the waveform features of the control signal (e.g.,shape, frequency, amplitude). The transmitter may then automaticallyreconfigure the antennas to transmit recalibrated power transmissionsignals according to the newly determined more-effective features. Forexample, the processor of the transmitter may adjust gain and/or phaseof the power transmission signals, among other features of powertransmission feature, to adjust for a change in location of thereceiver, after a user moved the receiver outside of thethree-dimensional space where the pocket of energy is established.

C. System Architecture of Power Transmission System

FIG. 3 illustrates an architecture 300 for wireless power transmissionusing pocket-forming, according to an exemplary embodiment.“Pocket-forming” may refer to generating two or more power transmissionwaves 342 that converge at a location in three-dimensional space,resulting in constructive interference patterns at that location. Atransmitter 302 may transmit and/or broadcast controlled powertransmission waves 342 (e.g., microwaves, radio waves, ultrasound waves)that may converge in three-dimensional space. These power transmissionwaves 342 may be controlled through phase and/or relative amplitudeadjustments to form constructive interference patterns (pocket-forming)in locations where a pocket of energy is intended. It should beunderstood also that the transmitter can use the same principles tocreate destructive interference in a location thereby creating atransmission null—a location where transmitted power transmission wavescancel each other out substantially and no significant energy can becollected by a receiver. In typical use cases the aiming of a powertransmission signal at the location of the receiver is the objective;and in other cases it may be desirable to specifically avoid powertransmission to a particular location; and in other cases it may bedesirable to aim power transmission signal at a location whilespecifically avoiding transmission to a second location at the sametime. The transmitter takes the use case into account when calibratingantennas for power transmission.

Antenna elements 306 of the transmitter 302 may operate in single array,pair array, quad array, or any other suitable arrangement that may bedesigned in accordance with the desired application. Pockets of energymay be formed at constructive interference patterns where the powertransmission waves 342 accumulate to form a three-dimensional field ofenergy, around which one or more corresponding transmission null in aparticular physical location may be generated by destructiveinterference patterns. Transmission null in a particular physicallocation-may refer to areas or regions of space where pockets of energydo not form because of destructive interference patterns of powertransmission waves 342.

A receiver 320 may then utilize power transmission waves 342 emitted bythe transmitter 302 to establish a pocket of energy, for charging orpowering an electronic device 313, thus effectively providing wirelesspower transmission. Pockets of energy may refer to areas or regions ofspace where energy or power may accumulate in the form of constructiveinterference patterns of power transmission waves 342. In othersituations there can be multiple transmitters 302 and/or multiplereceivers 320 for powering various electronic equipment for examplesmartphones, tablets, music players, toys and others at the same time.In other embodiments, adaptive pocket-forming may be used to regulatepower on electronic devices. Adaptive pocket-forming may refer todynamically adjusting pocket-forming to regulate power on one or moretargeted receivers.

Receiver 320 may communicate with transmitter 302 by generating a shortsignal through antenna elements 324 in order to indicate its positionwith respect to the transmitter 302. In some embodiments, receiver 320may additionally utilize a network interface card (not shown) or similarcomputer networking component to communicate through a network 340 withother devices or components of the system 300, such as a cloud computingservice that manages several collections of transmitters 302. Thereceiver 320 may comprise circuitry 308 for converting the powertransmission signals 342 captured by the antenna elements 324, intoelectrical energy that may be provided to and electric device 313 and/ora battery of the device 315. In some embodiments, the circuitry mayprovide electrical energy to a battery of receiver 335, which may storeenergy without the electrical device 313 being communicatively coupledto the receiver 320.

Communications components 324 may enable receiver 320 to communicatewith the transmitter 302 by transmitting control signals 345 over awireless protocol. The wireless protocol can be a proprietary protocolor use a conventional wireless protocol, such as Bluetooth®, BLE, Wi-Fi,NFC, ZigBee, and the like. Communications component 324 may then be usedto transfer information, such as an identifier for the electronic device313, as well as battery level information, geographic location data, orother information that may be of use for transmitter 302 in determiningwhen to send power to receiver 320, as well as the location to deliverpower transmission waves 342 creating pockets of energy. In otherembodiments, adaptive pocket-forming may be used to regulate powerprovided to electronic devices 313. In such embodiments, thecommunications components 324 of the receiver may transmit voltage dataindicating the amount of power received at the receiver 320, and/or theamount of voltage provided to an electronic device 313 b or battery 315.

Once transmitter 302 identifies and locates receiver 320, a channel orpath for the control signals 345 can be established, through which thetransmitter 302 may know the gain and phases of the control signals 345coming from receiver 320. Antenna elements 306 of the transmitter 302may start to transmit or broadcast controlled power transmission waves342 (e.g., radio frequency waves, ultrasound waves), which may convergein three-dimensional space by using at least two antenna elements 306 tomanipulate the power transmission waves 342 emitted from the respectiveantenna element 306. These power transmission waves 342 may be producedby using an external power source and a local oscillator chip using asuitable piezoelectric material. The power transmission waves 342 may becontrolled by transmitter circuitry 301, which may include a proprietarychip for adjusting phase and/or relative magnitudes of powertransmission waves 342. The phase, gain, amplitude, and other waveformfeatures of the power transmission waves 342 may serve as inputs forantenna element 306 to form constructive interference patterns(pocket-forming). In some implementations, a micro-controller 310 orother circuit of the transmitter 302 may produce a power transmissionsignal, which comprises power transmission waves 342, and that may bemay split into multiple outputs by transmitter circuitry 301, dependingon the number of antenna elements 306 connected to the transmittercircuitry 301. For example, if four antenna elements 306 a-d areconnected to one transmitter circuit 301 a, the power transmissionsignal will be split into four different outputs each output going to anantenna element 306 to be transmitted as power transmission waves 342originating from the respective antenna elements 306.

Pocket-forming may take advantage of interference to change thedirectionality of the antenna element 306 where constructiveinterference generates a pocket of energy and destructive interferencegenerates a transmission null. Receiver 320 may then utilize pocket ofenergy produced by pocket-forming for charging or powering an electronicdevice and therefore effectively providing wireless power transmission.

Multiple pocket-forming may be achieved by computing the phase and gainfrom each antenna 306 of transmitter 302 to each receiver 320.

FIG. 35 shows a wireless charging system architecture 3500, according toan exemplary embodiment. System architecture 3500 may include one ormore wireless power transmitters 3501, and one or more wireless powerreceivers 3520 a 3530 b. In some embodiments, wireless charging systemarchitecture 3500 may include one or more electronic devices 3552, whereelectronic devices 3552 may not have a built-in wireless power receiver3520 a. In other embodiments, wireless charging system architecture 3500may include electronic devices 3552 with a built-in power receiver 3520a. Pairing may refer to the association, within the wireless powertransmission system's distributed system database, of a singleelectronic client device with a single power receiver, so that, forexample, when a user, or automatic system process, commands a clientdevice to be charged, the system can determine from said associationwhich power receiver to transmit power to, to charge said client device.System database may refer to an exact copy of the system database of aninstalled product, or an exact copy of a subset of said database, storedwithin and accessible by any system computer.

Power transmitters 3501 may transmit controlled Radio Frequency (RF)waves which may converge in 3-D space. These RF waves may be controlledthrough phase and/or relative amplitude adjustments to form constructiveinterference patterns (pocket-forming). Pocket-forming may refer togenerating two or more RF waves which converge in 3-D space, formingcontrolled constructive interference patterns. Pockets of energy mayform at constructive interference patterns that may be 3-dimensional inshape whereas transmission null in a particular physical location may begenerated at destructive interference patterns. Pockets of energy mayrefer to areas or regions of space where energy or power may accumulatein the form of constructive interference patterns of RF waves.Transmission null in a particular physical location may refer to areasor regions of space where pockets of energy do not form because ofdestructive interference patterns of RF waves. Adaptive pocket-formingmay refer to dynamically adjusting pocket-forming to regulate power onone or more targeted receivers. Power may refer to electrical energy,where “wireless power transmission” may be synonymous of “wirelessenergy transmission”, and “wireless power transmission” may besynonymous of “wireless energy transmission”.

According to exemplary embodiments, power transmitters 3501 may includea power transmitter manager application 3594 a, a third party BTLE API3512 a, a BTLE chip 3512 b, an antenna manager software 3593 and anantenna array 3586 a among other components. Power transmitter managerapplication 3594 a may be an executable program loaded into anon-volatile memory within a power transmitter 3501. Power transmittermanager application 3594 a may control the behavior of power transmitter3501, monitor the state of charge of electronic devices 3552, and powerreceivers 3520 a, may keep track of the location of power receivers 3520a and may execute power schedules, amongst others. In some embodiments,power transmitters 3501 may include a database (not shown in figure) forstoring information related to power receivers 3520 a, electronicdevices 3552, power status, power schedules, IDs, pairing and anyinformation necessary for running the system. BTLE, or BLE, may refer toBluetooth Low Energy communication hardware and/or software. Databasemay refer to a database may be a SQL file, or a file of a differentformat or any format, or an array of data structures within a computer'svolatile or non-volatile memory but, that is used to organize, store,and retrieve data within the computer of the database. Third party BTLEAPI 3512 a may enable the effective interaction between powertransmitter manager application 3594 a and BTLE chip 3512 b. Antennamanager software 3593 may process orders from power transmitter managerapplication 3594 a and may control antenna array 3586 a.

Antenna arrays 3586 a that may be included in power transmitters 3501may include a number of antenna elements capable of transmitting power.In some embodiments, antenna array 3586 a may include from 64 to 256antenna elements which may be distributed in an equally spaced grid. Inone embodiment, antenna array 3586 a may have an 8×8 grid to have atotal of 64 antenna elements. In another embodiment, antenna array 3586a may have a 16×16 grid to have a total of 256 antenna elements.However, the number of antenna elements may vary in relation with thedesired range and power transmission capacity of power transmitter 3501.Generally, with more antenna elements, a wider range and higher powertransmission capacity may be achieved. Alternate configurations may alsobe possible including circular patterns or polygon arrangements, amongstothers. The antenna elements of antenna array 3586 a may include antennatypes for operating in frequency bands such as 900 MHz, 2.5 GHz, 5.250GHz, or 5.8 GHz, antenna elements may operate in independentfrequencies, allowing a multichannel operation of pocket-forming.

Power transmitter 3501 may additionally include other communicationsmethods such as Wi-Fi, ZigBee and LAN amongst others. Power receivers3520 a may include a power receiver application 3594 b, a third partyBTLE API 3512 a, a BTLE chip 3512 b, and an antenna array 3586 b. Powerreceivers 3520 a may be capable of utilizing pockets of energy producedby power transmitter 3501 for charging or powering electronic devices3552 a and electronic devices 3520 b. Power receiver application 3594 bmay be an executable program loaded into a non-volatile memory within apower receiver 3520 a. Third party BTLE API 3512 a may enable theeffective interaction between power receiver application 3594 b and BTLEchip 3512 b. Antenna array 3586 b may be capable of harvesting powerfrom pockets of energy.

Electronic devices 3552 and electronic devices 3520 a may include a GUIfor managing their interactions within wireless charging systemarchitecture 3500. The GUI may be associated with an executable programloaded into a non-volatile memory. In some embodiments, electronicdevices 3552 and electronic devices 3520 a may include a database (notshown in figure) for storing information related to power receivers 3520a, power status, power schedules, IDs, pairing and any informationnecessary for running the system. System management GUI may refer to asoftware application program that runs on a computer in the wirelesspower transmission system or runs on a remote server that may be in theInternet cloud. Said system management GUI is the Graphic User Interfacebetween system users or operators and the software within the wirelesspower transmission system, and used for configuration, monitoring,command, control, reporting, and any other system managementfunctionality.

In some embodiments, wireless charging system architecture 3500 mayinclude multiple power transmitters 3501 and/or multiple power receivers3520 a for charging a plurality of electronic devices 3552. In systemsincluding multiple power transmitters 3501, the two or more powertransmitters may be in constant communication using any communicationchannel available, including Bluetooth, BTLE, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, LAN, LTEand LTE direct amongst others.

FIG. 36 shows an exemplary embodiment of a wireless power transmissionsystem 3600 (WPTS) in which one or more embodiments of the presentdisclosure may operate. Wireless power transmission system 3600 mayinclude communication between one or more wireless power transmitters3601 and one or more wireless powered receivers 3620 a and within clientdevice 3620 b. Client device 3652 may be paired with an adaptable pairedreceiver 3620 a that may enable wireless power transmission to theclient device 3652. In another embodiment, a client device 3620 b mayinclude a wireless power receiver built in as part of the hardware ofthe device. Client device 3652 may be any device which uses an energypower source, such as, laptop computers, stationary computers, mobilephones, tablets, mobile gaming devices, televisions, radios and/or anyset of appliances that may require or benefit from an electrical powersource.

In one embodiment, one or more wireless power transmitters 3601 mayinclude a microprocessor that integrates a power transmitter manager app3694 a (PWR TX MGR APP) as embedded software, and a third partyapplication programming interface 3612 a (Third Party API) for aBluetooth Low Energy chip 3612 b (BTLE CHIP HW). App may refer to asoftware application that is run on a mobile, laptop, desktop, or servercomputer. Bluetooth Low Energy chip 3612 b may enable communicationbetween wireless power transmitter 3601 and other devices, includingpower receiver 3620 a, client device 3652 and 3620 b, and others.Wireless power transmitter 3601 may also include an antenna managersoftware (Antenna MGR Software) to control an RF antenna array that maybe used to form controlled RF waves which may converge in 3-D space andcreate pockets of energy on wireless powered receivers. In someembodiments, one or more Bluetooth Low Energy chips 3612 b may utilizeother wireless communication protocols, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LTEdirect, or the like.

Power transmitter manager app 3694 a may call third party applicationprogramming interface 3612 a for running a plurality of functions,including the establishing of a connection, ending a connection, andsending data, among others. Third party application programminginterface 3612 a may issue commands to Bluetooth Low Energy chip 3612 baccording to the functions called by power transmitter manager app 3694a.

Power transmitter manager app 3694 a may also include a distributedsystem database, which may store relevant information associated withclient device 3652, such as their identifiers for a client device 3652,voltage ranges for power receiver 3620 a, location of a client device3652, signal strength and/or any other relevant information associatedwith a client device 3652. Database may also store information relevantto the wireless power network, including receiver ID's, transmitterID's, end-user handheld devices, system management servers, chargingschedules, charging priorities and/or any other data relevant to awireless power network.

Third party application programming interface 3612 a at the same timemay call power transmitter manager app 3694 a through a callbackfunction which may be registered in the power transmitter manager app3694 a at boot time. Third party application programming interface 3612a may have a timer callback that may go for ten times a second, and maysend callbacks every time a connection begins, a connection ends, aconnection is attempted, or a message is received.

Client device 3620 b may include a power receiver app 3694 b (PWR RXAPP), a third party application programming interface 3650 a (Thirdparty API) for a Bluetooth Low Energy chip 3630 b (BTLE CHIP HW), and anRF antenna array 3686 b which may be used to receive and utilize thepockets of energy sent from wireless power transmitter 3601.

Power receiver app 3694 b may call third party application programminginterface 3650 a for running a plurality of functions, includingestablishing a connection, ending a connection, and sending data, amongothers. Third party application programming interface 3650 a may have atimer callback that may go for ten times a second, and may sendcallbacks every time a connection begins, a connection ends, aconnection is attempted, or message is received.

Client device 3652 may be paired to an adaptable power receiver 3620 avia a BTLE connection 3696. A graphical user interface (GUI 3698) may beused to manage the wireless power network from a client device 3652. GUI3698 may be a software module that may be downloaded from anyapplication store and may run on any operating system, including iOS andAndroid, amongst others. Client device 3652 may also communicate withwireless power transmitter 3601 via a BTLE connection 3696 to sendimportant data, such as an identifier for the device, battery levelinformation, geographic location data, or any other information that maybe of use for wireless power transmitter 3601.

A wireless power manager software may be used in order to managewireless power transmission system 3600. Wireless power manager may be asoftware module hosted in memory and executed by a processor inside acomputing device. The wireless power manager may include a localapplication GUI, or host a web page GUI, from where a user may seeoptions and statuses, as well as execute commands to manage the wirelesspower transmission system 3600. The computing device, which may becloud-based, may be connected to the wireless power transmitter 3601through standard communication protocols, including Bluetooth, BluetoothLow Energy, Wi-Fi, or ZigBee, amongst others. Power transmitter managerapp 3694 a may exchange information with wireless power manager in orderto control access by and power transmission to client devices 3652.Functions controlled by wireless power manager may include schedulingpower transmission for individual devices, prioritizing betweendifferent client devices, accessing credentials for each client,tracking physical locations of power receivers relative to powertransmitter areas, broadcasting messages, and/or any functions requiredto manage the wireless power transmission system 3600.

Computing device may be connected to wireless power transmitter 3601through network connections. Network connections may refer to anyconnection between computers including intranets, local area networks(LAN), virtual private networks (VPN), wireless area networks (WAN),Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Wi-Fi, and ZigBee, among others. Powertransmitter manager app 3694 a may exchange information with wirelesspower manager in order to control access to power transmission bydevices. Functions controlled by wireless power manager may include,scheduling power transmission for individual devices, number of antennasassigned to client devices, priorities between different client devices,access credentials for each client, physical location, broadcastingmessages, and/or any functions required to manage components withinwireless power transmission system 3600.

One or more wireless power transmitters 3601 may automatically transmitpower to any single wireless power receiver that is close enough forwireless power transmitters 3601 to establish a communication with. Thewireless power receiver may then power or charge electrically connectedelectronics devices such as client device 3652. A single wireless powertransmitter 3601 may power multiple wireless power receiverssimultaneously. Alternatively, components within wireless powertransmission system 3600 may be configured through wireless powermanager graphical user interface to automatically only transmit power tospecific wireless power receivers depending on specific system criteriaand/or conditions such as time of the day for automated time-basedscheduled power transmission, power receiver physical location, andowner of the client device, among others.

Wireless power receivers may take energy transmitted from wireless powertransmitters 3601, into the wireless power receiver's antenna, rectifyit, condition it, and sending the resulting electrical energy to theelectrically connected device to power or charge the device. If anywireless power receiver moves to a different spatial location, wirelesspower transmitter 3601 may change number of assigned antennas, thephase, and amplitude of the transmitted RF so that the resulting energybeam stays aimed at the receiver.

FIG. 37 illustrates a wireless power transmission system network,according to an embodiment. According to some embodiments, wirelesspower transmission system network 3700 may include multiple wirelesspower transmission systems capable of communicating with a remoteinformation service 3777 through internet cloud 3769.

In some embodiments, wireless power transmission system may include oneor more wireless power transmitters 3701, one or more power receivers3720, one or more optional back-up servers 3767 and a local network3740. According to some embodiments, each power transmitter 3701 mayinclude wireless power transmitter manager 3765 software and adistributed wireless power transmission system database 3763. Each powertransmitter 3701 may be capable of managing and transmitting power toone or more power receivers 3720, where each power receiver 3720 may becapable of charging or providing power to one or more electronic devices3761.

Power transmitter managers 3765 may control the behavior of powertransmitters 3701, monitor the state of charge of electronic devices3761, and control power receivers 3720, keep track of the location ofpower receivers 3720, execute power schedules, run system check-ups, andkeep track of the energy provided to each of the different electronicdevices 3761, amongst others.

According to some embodiments, database 3763 may store relevantinformation from electronic devices 3761 such as, identifiers forelectronic devices 3761, voltage ranges for measurements from powerreceivers 3720, location, signal strength and/or any relevantinformation from electronic devices 3761. Database 3763 may also storeinformation relevant to the wireless power transmission system such as,receiver ID's, transmitter ID's, end-user handheld device names or ID's,system management server ID's, charging schedules, charging prioritiesand/or any data relevant to a wireless power transmission system network3700. Additionally, in some embodiments, database 3763 may store data ofpast and present system status.

The past system status data may include details such as the amount ofpower delivered to an electronic device 3761, the amount of energy thatwas transferred to a group of electronic devices 3761 associated with auser, the amount of time an electronic device 3761 has been associatedto a wireless power transmitter 3701, pairing records, activities withinthe system, any action or event of any wireless power device in thesystem, errors, faults, and configuration problems, among others. Pastsystem status data may also include power schedules, names, customersign-in names, authorization and authentication credentials, encryptedinformation, physical areas of system operation, details for running thesystem, and any other system or user-related information.

Present system status data stored in database 3763 may include thelocations and/or movements in the system, configuration, pairing,errors, faults, alarms, problems, messages sent between the wirelesspower devices, and tracking information, among others.

According to some exemplary embodiments, databases 3763 within powertransmitters 3701 may further store future system status information,where the future status of the system may be forecasted or evaluatedaccording to historical data from past system status data and presentsystem status data.

In some embodiments, records from all device databases 3763 in awireless power transmission system may also be stored and periodicallyupdated in server 3767. In some embodiments, wireless power transmissionsystem network 3700 may include two or more servers 3767. In otherembodiments, wireless power transmission system network 3700 may notinclude any servers 3767.

In another exemplary embodiment, wireless power transmitters 3701 mayfurther be capable of detecting failures in the wireless powertransmission system. Examples of failures in power transmission system502 may include overheating of any component, malfunction, and overload,among others. If a failure is detected by any of wireless powertransmitters 3701 within the system, then the failure may be analyzed byany wireless power transmitter manager 3765 in the system. After theanalysis is completed, a recommendation or an alert may be generated andreported to owner of the power transmission system or to a remotecloud-based information service, for distribution to system owner ormanufacturer or supplier.

In some embodiments, power transmitters 3701 may use network 3740 tosend and receive information. Network 3740 may be a local area network,or any communication system between the components of the wireless powertransmission system. Network 3740 may enable communication between powertransmitters, system management servers 3767 (if any), and other powertransmission systems (if any), amongst others. According to someembodiments, network 3740 may facilitate data communication betweenpower transmission system and remote information service 3777 throughinternet cloud 3779.

Remote information service 3777 may be operated by the owner of thesystem, the manufacturer or supplier of the system, or a serviceprovider. Remote management system may include business cloud 3775,remote manager 3773 software, and backend server 3769, where the remotemanager 3773 may further include a general database 3771. Functionalityof backend server 3769 and remote manager 3773 can be combined into asingle physical or virtual server.

General database 3771 may store additional backups of the informationstored in the device databases 3763. Additionally, general database 3771may store marketing information, customer billing, customerconfiguration, customer authentication, and customer supportinformation, among others. In some embodiments, general database 3771may also store information, such as less popular features, errors in thesystem, problems report, statistics, and quality control, among others.Each wireless power transmitter 3701 may periodically establish a TCPcommunication connection with remote manager 3773 for authentication,problem report purposes or reporting of status or usage details, amongothers.

FIG. 38 illustrates a wireless power transmission system architecture3800, according to an exemplary embodiment. Wireless power transmissionsystem architecture 3800 may include a wireless power transmissionsystem, internet cloud 3879, and a remote information service 3883. Thedisclosed wireless power transmission system may include one or morewireless power transmitters 3877, one or more wireless power receivers3820 that may be coupled with or built into any client device 3861, oneor more local system management servers 3867 or cloud-based remotesystem management server 3873 (e.g., back-end servers), and a localnetwork 3840. Network 3840 connections may refer to any connectionbetween computers such as intranets, local area networks (LAN), virtualprivate networks (VPN), wireless area networks (WAN), and the internet,among others.

According to some embodiments, each wireless power transmitter 3877 mayinclude wireless power transmitter manager software 3865, a distributedsystem database 3883, and a TDM power transmission 3875 software module.Each wireless power transmitter 3877 may be able to manage and transmitpower to one or more wireless power receivers 3820, and each wirelesspower receiver 3820 may be able to charge or provide power to one ormore client devices 3861. Examples of client devices 3861 may includesmartphones, tablets, music players, and toys, amongst others. Some kindof client device 3861 may run a system management GUI app. This app maybe available at, downloaded, and installed from a public software appstore or digital application distribution platform, such as AppleiTunes, Android Play Store and/or amazon.

According to a further embodiment, wireless power transmission systemmay include a system management GUI application in, run at, or run froma local system management servers 3867 or cloud-bases remote systemmanagement server 3873, which may be used to control transmission ofwireless power to specific wireless power receivers 3820 depending onsystem criteria or operating conditions, such as power transmissionschedule, and physical location of the client device 3861, among others.

Each wireless power transmitter manager software 3865 may be able tocontrol the behavior of wireless power transmitters 3877, monitoringdifferent aspects, such as the time at which power transmission started,the unique system identification of both wireless power transmitter 3877and wireless power receiver 3820, the number of devices connected, thedirection angle of the antennas used, the voltage at the power receiverantennas of wireless power receiver 3820, and the real-timecommunication connection between wireless power transmitter 508 andwireless power receiver 3820, which may be used for tracking informationfrom wireless power receiver 3820 no matter where it is located ormoved, among others. Additionally, power transmitter manager software3865 may control the usage of TDM power transmission 3875, which may beable to put wireless power transmission system in TDM power transmission3875 mode or not. Specifically, TDM power transmission 3875 mode maycontrol the antennas arrays of wireless power transmitter 3877 byre-assigning to antenna groups, where each group may be used to transmitpower at regular intervals of time to only those client devices 3861that are in an online mode, while the remaining client device 3861 in anoffline mode are waiting to be powered by wireless power transmitter3877.

Wireless power transmitter 3877 through TDM power transmission 3875 modemay turn to online a certain group of client devices 3861 coupled withwireless power receiver 3820 and may turn offline another certain groupof client devices 3861 and vice versa, until all client devices 3861that are sufficiently close to wireless power transmitter 3877 receiveenough power. This TDM power transmission cycle may continue while thereare too many client devices 3861 for wireless power transmitter 3877 topower all at the same time.

According to some embodiments, distributed system database 3883 mayrecord relevant information from wireless power receivers 3820 withinclient devices 3861, wireless power transmitter 3877, and local systemmanagement servers 3867. Information may include but is not limited toidentifiers for client devices 3861, voltage measurements of powercircuits within wireless power receivers 3820, location, signalstrength, wireless power receiver 3820 ID's, wireless power transmitter3877 ID's, end-user handheld device names ID's, system management serverID's, charging schedules, charging priorities, and/or any data relevantto wireless power transmission system. Additionally, wireless powertransmitters 3877, wireless power receiver 3820 powering client devices3861 and local system management server 3867 may operate as systeminformation generator.

Distributed system database 3871 may be implemented through known in theart database management systems (DBMS) such as, for example, MySQL,PostgreSQL, SQLite, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft Access, Oracle, SAP,dBASE, FoxPro, IBM DB2, LibreOffice Base, FileMaker Pro and/or any othertype of database that may organize collections of data.

In some embodiments, wireless power transmitters 3877 may use network3840 to send and receive information. Network 3840 may be a local areanetwork, WIFI, or any communication system between the components of thewireless power transmission system. Network 3840 may enablecommunication between two or more wireless power transmitters 3877, thecommunication of wireless power transmitters 3877 with system managementservers 3867, and may facilitate the communication between wirelesspower transmission system and remote information service 3883 throughinternet cloud 3879, amongst others.

Remote information service 3883 may be operated by the owner of thesystem, the manufacturer, supplier of the system, or a service provider.Remote information service 3883 may include different components, suchas a back-end server, a remote information service manager, and ageneral remote information service database.

FIG. 39 is an exemplary computing device 3900 in which one or moreembodiments of the implementation may operate, according to anembodiment. In one embodiment, computing device 3900 includes bus 3995,input/output (I/O) device 3985, communication interface 3987, memory3989, storage device 3991 and central processing unit 3993. In anotherembodiment, computing device 3900 includes additional, fewer, different,or differently arranged components than those illustrated in FIG. 39.

In FIG. 39, bus 3995 is in physical communication with (I/O) device3985, communication interface 3987, memory 3989, storage device 3991,and central processing unit 3993. Bus 3995 includes a path that permitscomponents within computing device 3900 to communicate with each other.Examples of (I/O) device 3985 include peripherals and/or other mechanismthat may enable an examiner or candidate to input information tocomputing device 3900, including a keyboard, computer mice, buttons,touch screens, touch-pad, voice recognition, biometric mechanisms, andthe like. (I/O) device 3985 also includes a mechanism that outputsinformation to a user of computing device 3900, such as, for example adisplay, a microphone, a light emitting diode (LED), a printer, aspeaker, orientation sensors and the like. Said orientation sensorsinclude one or more accelerometers, one or more gyroscopes, one or morecompasses, and the like. The accelerometer provides a respective changeof a respective angle about a respective axis. The gyroscope provides arespective rate of change of a respective angle about a respective axisand the compass provides a compass heading.

Examples of communication interface 3987 include mechanisms that enablecomputing device 3900 to communicate with other computing devices and/orsystems through network connections. Examples of memory 3989 includerandom access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, andthe like. Examples of storage device 3991 include magnetic and/oroptical recording medium, ferro-electric RAM (F-RAM) hard disks,solid-state drives, floppy disks, optical discs, and the like. In oneembodiment, memory 3989 and storage device 3991 store information andinstructions for execution by central processing unit 3993. In anotherembodiment, central processing unit 3993 includes a microprocessor, anapplication specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a field programmableobject array (FPOA), and the like. In this embodiment, centralprocessing unit 3993 interprets and executes instructions retrieved frommemory 3989 and storage device 3991.

Examples of these implementations include servers, authorized computingdevices, smartphones, desktop computers, laptop computers, tabletcomputers, a PDAs, another type of processor-controlled device that mayreceive, process, transmit digital data, and the like. Additionally,computing device 3900 may perform certain operations that are requiredfor the proper operation of the system architecture. Suitable computingdevices 3900 may perform these operations in response to centralprocessing unit 3993 executing software instructions contained in acomputer-readable medium, such as memory 3989.

In one embodiment, the software instructions of system are read intomemory 3989 from another memory location, such as storage device 3991,or from another computing device 3900 (e.g., first client device, secondclient device, computing device, and the like) via communicationinterface 3987. In this embodiment, the software instructions containedwithin memory 3989 cause central processing unit 3993 to performprocesses.

FIG. 40 is a functional block diagram illustrating wireless energytransmission system 4000 for transmitting wireless energy using adaptive3-D pocket-forming techniques. In some embodiments, wireless energytransmission system 4000 includes cloud service provider, any number ofsuitable wireless power transmitters 4001-4001 n, and any number ofsuitable wirelessly charged devices. In other embodiments, wirelessenergy transmission system 4000 includes additional, fewer, different,or differently arranged components than those illustrated in FIG. 40.

In FIG. 40, cloud service provider includes system management service4067 and information distribution service. wirelessly charged deviceseach include as associated receiver 4020-4020 n, client device 4052-4052n, and GUI 4061-4061 n. In some embodiments, there can be additionalwirelessly charged devices (e.g., up to n) that each include a receiver,client device, and GUI.

In some implementations, cloud service provider, wireless powertransmitters 4001, and wirelessly charged devices are in wired/wirelesscommunication with one or more of each other. In these embodiments,wireless power transmitters 4001 wirelessly couple and communicate withwirelessly charged devices via any suitable wireless protocol. Examplesof suitable wireless protocols include Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy,Wi-Fi, ZigBee, and the like.

In some embodiments, cloud service provider is implemented as computerhardware and software including any number of components required forrunning a desired set of applications, including any number ofprocessors, random access memory modules, physical storage drives, wiredcommunication ports, wireless communication ports, and the like. In anexample, cloud service provider is implemented using one or morecomponents of computing device. In these embodiments, cloud serviceprovider executes any software required to host system managementservice 4067, including software able to manage user credentials, deviceidentification, device authentication, usage and payments associatedwith one or more users, handle service requests, information requests,store and read data related to one or more users, and the like. In otherembodiments, cloud service provider additionally includes databases forstoring user data, device data, payment data, and the like.

In some embodiments, system management service 4067 is configured tomanage power transmission from one or more wireless power transmittersto one or more receivers, credentials associated with mobile deviceusers, billing associated with wireless power transmissions, and thelike. In these embodiments, system management service 4067 is hardwareand software configured to issue commands to one or more wireless powertransmitters 4001, including commands to begin, pause, or stoptransmitting power to one or more wireless power receivers, and thelike. In an example, cloud service provider functions substantiallysimilar to computing device. In another example, system managementservice 4067 functions substantially similar to wireless power manager.

In some embodiments, cloud service provider executes any softwarerequired to host information distribution service. Examples of suchsoftware include software able to store and read data related to one ormore users, perform analytics on data, and the like. In otherembodiments, information distribution service is hardware and softwareconfigured to collect usage data, billing data, demographic data, andthe like from system management service 4067, wireless power transmitter4001, receiver 4020, and/or client device 4052. Examples of data includetotal time spent charging, total energy transmitted to a device, averageamount of energy delivered monthly to a device, locations where energyhas been transmitted to a mobile device, mobile device user demographicdescriptors, and the like

In other embodiments, wireless power transmitters 4001 are implementedas computer hardware and software including any number of componentsrequired for running a desired set of applications, including any numberof processors, random access memory modules, physical storage drives,wired communication ports, wireless communication interfaces allowingcoupling to antennas, and the like. In an example, wireless powertransmitters 4001 are implemented using one or more components ofcomputing device. In some embodiments, wireless power transmitters 4001are implemented as transmitters able to transmit power to wirelesslycharged devices (including a wireless power receiver) and wireless powerreceivers (coupled to one or more electrical devices) using adaptive 3-Dpocket-forming techniques. In these embodiments, one or more wirelesspower transmitters 4001 communicate with one or more receivers 4020(either as part of wirelessly charged devices or coupled to one or moreelectrical devices), locate the one or more receivers 4020 in 3-D space,and transmit power signals to form pockets of energy at the one or morereceivers 4020.

In some embodiments, wirelessly charged devices are implemented ascomputer hardware and software including any number of componentsrequired for running a desired set of applications, including any numberof processors, random access memory modules, physical storage drives,wired communication ports, wireless communication interfaces allowingcoupling to antennas, and the like. In some embodiments, wirelesslycharged devices are implemented as computing devices coupled to and incommunication with a suitable wireless power receiver. Examples ofwirelessly charged devices include mobile phones, laptops, portablevideo game systems, video game controllers, and the like. In an example,wirelessly charged devices are implemented using one or more componentsof computing device. In some embodiments, wirelessly charged devices areimplemented including receivers (e.g., receiver 4020) operable toreceive power from wireless power transmitters employing adaptive 3-Dpocket-forming techniques. In these embodiments, the receiver portion(e.g., receiver 4020) included in one or more wirelessly charged devicescommunicates with one or more wireless power transmitters 4001 andreceives energy from pockets of energy formed at the location of thereceiver associated with the one or more wirelessly charged deviceswirelessly charged devices may include an inherent receiver (e.g.,receiver 4020) or may be coupled and in electrical communication with aseparate wireless receiver.

In operation, wireless power transmitters 4001 broadcast an identifierassociated with the individual transmitters using a suitable wirelesscommunication protocol, including Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy,Zigbee, and the like. Examples of suitable identifiers include MACaddresses, IMEIs, serial numbers, an ID string, and the like. In otherembodiments, suitable identifiers additionally include information aboutthe version of the software used in wireless power transmitters 4001. Insome embodiments, client devices 4052 within wirelessly charged devicesare configured to detect one or more identifiers broadcast by one ormore wireless power transmitters 4001 and display one or more graphicalrepresentations of the wireless power transmitters 4001 to a mobiledevice user through GUI 4061. In other embodiments, client devices 4052determine the version of the software running on wireless powertransmitter 4001 and use the version information to determine thelocation and format of the identifier associated with wireless powertransmitter 4001 within the information broadcast by wireless powertransmitters 4001.

In some embodiments, client devices 4052 are able to communicate userrequests to system management service 4067, including requests toinitiate charging, pause charging, end charging, authorize paymenttransactions, and the like. In other embodiments, cloud service provideris in communication with one or more wireless power transmitters 4001and manages the distribution of power signals from the one or morewireless power transmitters 4001, wireless power transmitter 4001 is inwireless communication with receiver 4020 and is configured to transmitpower signals from wireless power transmitter 4001 to receiver 4020employing adaptive 3-D pocket-forming techniques.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart of a pairing process 4100, according to anexemplary embodiment. Pairing process 4100 may start when an electronicdevice identifies 4121 available power receivers in a system. Then,using the signal strength the electronic device may be capable ofmonitoring 4123 the proximity of each of the available power receivers.The electronic device may constantly check 4125 if one of the powerreceivers is within a range of proximity to perform the pairing. If noneof the power receivers is within the range, the electronic device maycontinue to monitor the proximity of the power receivers. If one of thepower receivers is within range the electronic device may proceed tocheck the database 4127 to determine if the power receiver is alreadypaired 4129. If the power receiver is associated with another electronicdevice, the electronic device may continue to scan for power receiversand track their proximity. If the power receiver has no associations,the electronic device may commence the pairing protocol, and may start4131 a timer and continuously monitor the proximity of the powerreceiver. After a time lapse the electronic device may check 4135 if thepower receiver is still within the range. If the power receiver is notwithin the proximity range the electronic device may continue to trackthe proximity of the power receivers. If the power receiver is stillwithin a proximity range the electronic device may update 4137 thedatabase, associating its ID with the ID of the power receiver.

In some embodiments, the GUI in the electronic device may analyzeseveral signal strength measurements (RSSI) over the predetermined timelapse before updating the database. In some embodiments, the GUI maycompute and average of the signal strength measurements and compare itwith predefined reference values. After updating the information in aninternal database, the electronic device may send 4139 a copy of theupdated database to the power transmitter and pairing process 4100 mayend.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart of an un-pairing process 4200, according to anexemplary embodiment. Un-pairing process 4200 may start when anelectronic device that is paired to a power receiver is constantlymonitoring 4241 the proximity of the power receiver to check 4243 if thepower receiver is beyond pairing range. If there is no change, theelectronic device may continue to monitor 4241 the proximity of thepaired power receiver. If there is a change, the electronic device maystart 4245 a timer. After a time lapse the electronic device may checkthe signal strength of the ads broadcasted by the power receiver todetermine 4249 if the power receiver is still within a range. This maybe done by the GUI in the electronic device. The GUI may analyze severalsignal strength measurements (RSSI) over the predetermined time lapse.In some embodiments, the GUI may compute and average of the signalstrength measurements and compare it with predefined reference values.

If the electronic device determines that the power receiver is stillwithin the proximity range it may continue to normally monitor theproximity of the power receiver. If the electronic device determinesthat the power receiver is not within the proximity range any more theelectronic device may proceed to update 4251 the internal database andsubsequently send 4253 the updated version of the data base to the powertransmitter. In a parallel process, the electronic device may start toscan and identify 4255 available power receivers and continuouslymonitor the proximity of the available power receivers and theun-pairing process 4200 may end.

In an exemplary embodiment, a smartphone including a GUI for interactingwith a wireless charging system is paired with a power receiver embeddedin a cellphone cover. At a first moment, the smartphone communicateswith the power transmitter, is authenticated, receives the powerreceivers' database and starts scanning for power receiver devices.After scanning, the smartphone finds 3 available power receivers. Ittracks the proximity of the power devices based on signal strength. At asecond moment, one of the power receivers is placed near the smartphone.The smartphone determines that the power receiver is within the rangeand starts the pairing process. After a few seconds it checks the signalstrength again and it determines that the power receiver is still withinan acceptable distance for pairing. Then, the smartphone updates itsinternal database and sends a copy of the updated database to the powertransmitter. At a third moment, the smartphone sends a power request tothe power transmitter. The power transmitter searches the database todetermine which power receiver is associated with the smartphone, thenit directs the antenna array towards the power receiver that isassociated with the smartphone, and starts transmitting power.

D. Components of Systems Forming Pockets of Energy

FIG. 4 shows components of an exemplary system 400 of wireless powertransmission using pocket-forming procedures. The system 400 maycomprise one or more transmitters 402, one or more receivers 420, andone or more client devices 446.

1. Transmitters

Transmitters 402 may be any device capable of broadcasting wirelesspower transmission signals, which may be RF waves 442, for wirelesspower transmission, as described herein. Transmitters 402 may beresponsible for performing tasks related to transmitting powertransmission signals, which may include pocket-forming, adaptivepocket-forming, and multiple pocket-forming. In some implementations,transmitters 402 may transmit wireless power transmissions to receivers420 in the form of RF waves, which may include any radio signal havingany frequency or wavelength. A transmitter 402 may include one or moreantenna elements 406, one or more RFICs 408, one or moremicrocontrollers 410, one or more communication components 412, a powersource 414, and a housing that may allocate all the requested componentsfor the transmitter 402. The various components of transmitters 402 maycomprise, and/or may be manufactured using, meta-materials,micro-printing of circuits, nano-materials, and the like.

In the exemplary system 400, the transmitter 402 may transmit orotherwise broadcast controlled RF waves 442 that converge at a locationin three-dimensional space, thereby forming a pocket of energy 444.These RF waves may be controlled through phase and/or relative amplitudeadjustments to form constructive or destructive interference patterns(i.e., pocket-forming). Pockets of energy 444 may be fields formed atconstructive interference patterns and may be three-dimensional inshape; whereas transmission null in a particular physical location maybe generated at destructive interference patterns. Receivers 420 mayharvest electrical energy from the pockets of energy 444 produced bypocket-forming for charging or powering an electronic client device 446(e.g., a laptop computer, a cell phone). In some embodiments, the system400 may comprise multiple transmitters 402 and/or multiple receivers420, for powering various electronic equipment. Non-limiting examples ofclient devices 446 may include: smartphones, tablets, music players,toys and others at the same time. In some embodiments, adaptivepocket-forming may be used to regulate power on electronic devices.

2. Receivers

Receivers 420 may include a housing where at least one antenna element424, one rectifier 426, one power converter 428, and a communicationscomponent 430 may be included. Housing of the receiver 420 can be madeof any material capable of facilitating signal or wave transmissionand/or reception, for example plastic or hard rubber. Housing may be anexternal hardware that may be added to different electronic equipment,for example in the form of cases, or can be embedded within electronicequipment as well.

3. Antenna Elements

Antenna elements 424 of the receiver 420 may comprise any type ofantenna capable of transmitting and/or receiving signals in frequencybands used by the transmitter 402A. Antenna elements 424 may includevertical or horizontal polarization, right hand or left handpolarization, elliptical polarization, or other polarizations, as wellas any number of polarization combinations. Using multiple polarizationscan be beneficial in devices where there may not be a preferredorientation during usage or whose orientation may vary continuouslythrough time, for example a smartphone or portable gaming system. Fordevices having a well-defined expected orientation (e.g., a two-handedvideo game controller), there might be a preferred polarization forantennas, which may dictate a ratio for the number of antennas of agiven polarization. Types of antennas in antenna elements 424 of thereceiver 420, may include patch antennas, which may have heights fromabout ⅛ inch to about 6 inches and widths from about ⅛ inch to about 6inches. Patch antennas may preferably have polarization that dependsupon connectivity, i.e., the polarization may vary depending on fromwhich side the patch is fed. In some embodiments, the type of antennamay be any type of antenna, such as patch antennas, capable ofdynamically varying the antenna polarization to optimize wireless powertransmission.

4. Rectifier

Rectifiers 426 of the receiver 420 may include diodes, resistors,inductors, and/or capacitors to rectify alternating current (AC) voltagegenerated by antenna elements 424 to direct current (DC) voltage.Rectifiers 426 may be placed as close as is technically possible toantenna elements A24B to minimize losses in electrical energy gatheredfrom power transmission signals. After rectifying AC voltage, theresulting DC voltage may be regulated using power converters 428. Powerconverters 428 can be a DC-to-DC converter that may help provide aconstant voltage output, regardless of input, to an electronic device,or as in this exemplary system 400, to a battery. Typical voltageoutputs can be from about 5 volts to about 10 volts. In someembodiments, power converter may include electronic switched mode DC-DCconverters, which can provide high efficiency. In such embodiments, thereceiver 420 may comprise a capacitor (not shown) that is situated toreceive the electrical energy before power converters 428. The capacitormay ensure sufficient current is provided to an electronic switchingdevice (e.g., switch mode DC-DC converter), so it may operateeffectively. When charging an electronic device, for example a phone orlaptop computer, initial high-currents that can exceed the minimumvoltage needed to activate operation of an electronic switched modeDC-DC converter, may be required. In such a case, a capacitor (notshown) may be added at the output of receivers 420 to provide the extraenergy required. Afterwards, lower power can be provided. For example,1/80 of the total initial power that may be used while having the phoneor laptop still build-up charge.

5. Communications Component

A communications component 430 of a receiver 420 may communicate withone or more other devices of the system 400, such as other receivers420, client devices, and/or transmitters 402. Different antenna,rectifier or power converter arrangements are possible for a receiver aswill be explained in following embodiments.

E. Methods of Pocket Forming for a Plurality of Devices

1. Primary Configuration

FIG. 5 shows steps of powering a plurality of receiver devices,according to an exemplary embodiment. In a first step 501, a transmitter(TX) establishes a connection or otherwise associates with a receiver(RX). That is, in some embodiments, transmitters and receivers maycommunicate control data over using a wireless communication protocolcapable of transmitting information between two processors of electricaldevices (e.g., Bluetooth®, BLE, Wi-Fi, NFC, ZigBee®). For example, inembodiments implement Bluetooth® or Bluetooth® variants, the transmittermay scan for receiver's broadcasting advertisement signals or a receivermay transmit an advertisement signal to the transmitter. Theadvertisement signal may announce the receiver's presence to thetransmitter, and may trigger an association between the transmitter andthe receiver. As described later, in some embodiments, the advertisementsignal may communicate information that may be used by various devices(e.g., transmitters, client devices, sever computers, other receivers)to execute and manage pocket-forming procedures. Information containedwithin the advertisement signal may include a device identifier (e.g.,MAC address, IP address, UUID), the voltage of electrical energyreceived, client device power consumption, and other types of datarelated to power transmission waves. The transmitter may use theadvertisement signal transmitted to identify the receiver and, in somecases, locate the receiver in a two-dimensional space or in athree-dimensional space. Once the transmitter identifies the receiver,the transmitter may establish the connection associated in thetransmitter with the receiver, allowing the transmitter and receiver tocommunicate control signals over a second channel.

As an example, when a receiver comprising a Bluetooth® processor ispowered-up or is brought within a detection range of the transmitter,the Bluetooth processor may begin advertising the receiver according toBluetooth® standards. The transmitter may recognize the advertisementand begin establishing connection for communicating control signals andpower transmission signals. In some embodiments, the advertisementsignal may contain unique identifiers so that the transmitter maydistinguish that advertisement and ultimately that receiver from all theother Bluetooth® devices nearby within range.

In a next step 503, when the transmitter detects the advertisementsignal, the transmitter may automatically form a communicationconnection with that receiver, which may allow the transmitter andreceiver to communicate control signals and power transmission signals.The transmitter may then command that receiver to begin transmittingreal-time sample data or control data. The transmitter may also begintransmitting power transmission signals from antennas of thetransmitter's antenna array.

In a next step 505, the receiver may then measure the voltage, amongother metrics related to effectiveness of the power transmissionsignals, based on the electrical energy received by the receiver'santennas. The receiver may generate control data containing the measuredinformation, and then transmit control signals containing the controldata to the transmitter. For example, the receiver may sample thevoltage measurements of received electrical energy, for example, at arate of 100 times per second. The receiver may transmit the voltagesample measurement back to the transmitter, 100 times a second, in theform of control signals.

In a next step 507, the transmitter may execute one or more softwaremodules monitoring the metrics, such as voltage measurements, receivedfrom the receiver. Algorithms may vary production and transmission ofpower transmission signals by the transmitter's antennas, to maximizethe effectiveness of the pockets of energy around the receiver. Forexample, the transmitter may adjust the phase at which the transmitter'santenna transmit the power transmission signals, until that powerreceived by the receiver indicates an effectively established pocketenergy around the receiver. When an optimal configuration for theantennas is identified, memory of the transmitter may store theconfigurations to keep the transmitter broadcasting at that highestlevel.

In a next step 509, algorithms of the transmitter may determine when itis necessary to adjust the power transmission signals and may also varythe configuration of the transmit antennas, in response to determiningsuch adjustments are necessary. For example, the transmitter maydetermine the power received at a receiver is less than maximal, basedon the data received from the receiver. The transmitter may thenautomatically adjust the phase of the power transmission signals, butmay also simultaneously continues to receive and monitor the voltagebeing reported back from receiver.

In a next step 511, after a determined period of time for communicatingwith a particular receiver, the transmitter may scan and/orautomatically detect advertisements from other receivers that may be inrange of the transmitter. The transmitters may establish a connection tothe second receiver responsive to Bluetooth® advertisements from asecond receiver.

In a next step 513, after establishing a second communication connectionwith the second receiver, the transmitter may proceed to adjust one ormore antennas in the transmitter's antenna array. In some embodiments,the transmitter may identify a subset of antennas to service the secondreceiver, thereby parsing the array into subsets of arrays that areassociated with a receiver. In some embodiments, the entire antennaarray may service a first receiver for a given period of time, and thenthe entire array may service the second receiver for that period oftime.

Manual or automated processes performed by the transmitter may select asubset of arrays to service the second receiver. In this example, thetransmitter's array may be split in half, forming two subsets. As aresult, half of the antennas may be configured to transmit powertransmission signals to the first receiver, and half of the antennas maybe configured for the second receiver. In the current step 513, thetransmitter may apply similar techniques discussed above to configure oroptimize the subset of antennas for the second receiver. While selectinga subset of an array for transmitting power transmission signals, thetransmitter and second receiver may be communicating control data. As aresult, by the time that the transmitter alternates back tocommunicating with the first receiver and/or scan for new receivers, thetransmitter has already received a sufficient amount of sample data toadjust the phases of the waves transmitted by second subset of thetransmitter's antenna array, to transmit power transmission waves to thesecond receiver effectively.

In a next step 515, after adjusting the second subset to transmit powertransmission signals to the second receiver, the transmitter mayalternate back to communicating control data with the first receiver, orscanning for additional receivers. The transmitter may reconfigure theantennas of the first subset, and then alternate between the first andsecond receivers at a predetermined interval.

In a next step 517, the transmitter may continue to alternate betweenreceivers and scanning for new receivers, at a predetermined interval.As each new receiver is detected, the transmitter may establish aconnection and begin transmitting power transmission signals,accordingly.

In one exemplary embodiment, the receiver may be electrically connectedto a device like a smart phone. The transmitter's processor would scanfor any Bluetooth devices. The receiver may begin advertising that it'sa Bluetooth device through the Bluetooth chip. Inside the advertisement,there may be unique identifiers so that the transmitter, when it scannedthat advertisement, could distinguish that advertisement and ultimatelythat receiver from all the other Bluetooth devices nearby within range.When the transmitter detects that advertisement and notices it is areceiver, then the transmitter may immediately form a communicationconnection with that receiver and command that receiver to begin sendingreal time sample data.

The receiver would then measure the voltage at its receiving antennas,send that voltage sample measurement back to the transmitter (e.g., 100times a second). The transmitter may start to vary the configuration ofthe transmit antennas by adjusting the phase. As the transmitter adjuststhe phase, the transmitter monitors the voltage being sent back from thereceiver. In some implementations, the higher the voltage, the moreenergy may be in the pocket. The antenna phases may be altered until thevoltage is at the highest level and there is a maximum pocket of energyaround the receiver. The transmitter may keep the antennas at theparticular phase so the voltage is at the highest level.

The transmitter may vary each individual antenna, one at a time. Forexample, if there are 32 antennas in the transmitter, and each antennahas 8 phases, the transmitter may begin with the first antenna and wouldstep the first antenna through all 8 phases. The receiver may then sendback the power level for each of the 8 phases of the first antenna. Thetransmitter may then store the highest phase for the first antenna. Thetransmitter may repeat this process for the second antenna, and step itthrough 8 phases. The receiver may again send back the power levels fromeach phase, and the transmitter may store the highest level. Next thetransmitter may repeat the process for the third antenna and continue torepeat the process until all 32 antennas have stepped through the 8phases. At the end of the process, the transmitter may transmit themaximum voltage in the most efficient manner to the receiver.

In another exemplary embodiment, the transmitter may detect a secondreceiver's advertisement and form a communication connection with thesecond receiver. When the transmitter forms the communication with thesecond receiver, the transmitter may aim the original 32 antennastowards the second receiver and repeat the phase process for each of the32 antennas aimed at the second receiver. Once the process is completed,the second receiver may getting as much power as possible from thetransmitter. The transmitter may communicate with the second receiverfor a second, and then alternate back to the first receiver for apredetermined period of time (e.g., a second), and the transmitter maycontinue to alternate back and forth between the first receiver and thesecond receiver at the predetermined time intervals.

In yet another implementation, the transmitter may detect a secondreceiver's advertisement and form a communication connection with thesecond receiver. First, the transmitter may communicate with the firstreceiver and re-assign half of the exemplary 32 the antennas aimed atthe first receiver, dedicating only 16 towards the first receiver. Thetransmitter may then assign the second half of the antennas to thesecond receiver, dedicating 16 antennas to the second receiver. Thetransmitter may adjust the phases for the second half of the antennas.Once the 16 antennas have gone through each of the 8 phases, the secondreceiver may be obtaining the maximum voltage in the most efficientmanner to the receiver.

2. Determining Optimal Position for Pocket Forming

FIG. 43 illustrates tracking and positioning flowchart 4300, which maybe employed by an algorithm in a controller, CPU, processor, computeramong others, for determining the optimal position and orientation of anelectronic device which may receive power and/or charge through wirelesspower transmission. In order to achieve the optimal efficiency,electronic device may use a variety of sensors for determining thevoltage level in battery and/or the power level received when wirelesspower transmission starts 4359. Such sensors may indicate whether thedevice is receiving power at the maximum available efficiency 4359.Examples of sensors and/or circuits to determine power efficiency maycomprise one or more of: an accelerometer, an ambient light sensor, aGPS sensor, a compass, a proximity sensor, a pressure sensor, agyroscope, an infrared sensor, a motion detector, OPS sensor circuitand/or any other type of sensor or circuit.

Maximum available efficiency may depend on distance from transmitter,obstacles, temperature, among others. If the device is receiving powerat maximum available efficiency, then an application, software orprogram installed on the electronic device and/or in the receiver mayaware and/or note user to maintain current position 4363. Moreover, ifthe device is receiving power at a lower efficiency than the maximumavailable efficiency, then software or program may use a variety ofsensors for tracking and determining the optimal position of electronicdevice in relation with transmitter position and orientation. Sensorsmay include accelerometers, infrared, OPS, among others. Furthermore, acommunication reciprocity may be used by the communication module fortracking and positioning. Communication module may include and combineBluetooth technology, infrared communication, Wi-Fi, FM radio amongothers. By comparing voltage level and/or power received in eachposition and/or orientation of electronic device, the software and/orprogram may notify and/or guide user to change device position 4365 forlooking the optimal position and/or orientation.

FIG. 44A illustrates wireless power transmission 4400A, where atransmitter 4401A may produce pocket-forming over plurality ofcellphones 4452A. As depicted in FIG. 44A, wireless power transmission4400A may charge and/or power cellphone 4452A at a low efficiencybecause antennas 4406B on the receiver may be faced to the samedirection of the RF waves 4442B, thus pocket of energy 4404A may provideless charge and/or power to antennas 4406B.

FIG. 44B illustrates wireless power transmission where a cellphonesreceives charge and/or power at low efficiency, according to anexemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 44B, by turning cellphone 4452B180° degrees, antennas 4406B may receive power at a higher efficiency,such efficiency may be achieved due the antennas 4406B orientation,which may be faced in the opposite direction of RF waves 4442B.

3. Receiver Initiating Charge

FIG. 45 is a flowchart of a charge request process 4500, according to anexemplary embodiment. Process 4500 may start when an electronic device,which includes a GUI for interacting with a wireless charging system,communicates 4569 with a power transmitter. During the communication theelectronic device may send information to the power transmitterincluding device ID and charge status, amongst others. The powertransmitter may update its database and may send a copy to theelectronic device including the IDs of available power transmitterswithin the system. Then, the electronic device may check 4571 if its IDis already associated with the ID of a power receiver.

If the electronic device is not already paired, the electronic devicemay start scanning 4573 for power receivers. All the power receivers inthe system may broadcast advertisement messages at any time. Theadvertisement messages may include a unique 32 bit device ID and asystem ID or UUID (Universally Unique Identifier). In some embodiments,the advertisement messages may include additional information. Theelectronic device may be capable of monitoring the signal strength ofthe ads being broadcasted by the different power receivers and keeptrack of the proximity of the power receivers to the electronic device.

When the electronic device detects that a power receiver is within arange of proximity for a amount of time, it may proceed to check thedatabase to determine if the power receiver is not already paired withanother electronic device. If the power receiver is not already pairedwith another device the electronic device may update the database withthe association of electronic device's ID with the ID of the powerreceiver during pairing 4575. Then, the electronic device may send acopy of the updated database to the power transmitter.

Once the electronic device is paired, a user, through the GUI in theelectronic device, or the electronic may send a power request 4577 tothe power transmitter. If the power transmitter finds it suitable toprovide power to the electronic device, it may turn on 4579 the powerreceiver.

Afterwards, the power transmitter may aim the antenna array to the powerreceiver associated with the electronic device and start sending energyto the power receiver. The power receiver may then start charging 4581the electronic device. Once the electronic device is charged, theprocess may end.

FIG. 46 illustrates an example routine 4600 that may be utilized bymicro-controller from transmitter 4600 to control wireless powertransmission. Routine 4600 may begin when transmitter 4600 receives apower delivery request 4683 from receiver. At power delivery request4683, receiver may send a signature signal which may be coded usingtechniques such as delay encoding, orthogonal frequency-divisionmultiplexing (OFDM), code division multiplexing (CDM) or other binarycoding for identifying a given electronic device including receiver. Atthis stage, micro-controller may proceed to authenticate 4685 where itmay evaluate the signature signal sent by receiver. Based onauthenticate 4685, micro-controller may proceed to a decision 4687. Ifreceiver is not authorized to receiver power, micro-controller maydecide, at decision 4687, to not deliver power 4689, and thus endroutine 4600 at end 4691. On the other hand, if receiver is authorizedto receive power, micro-controller may proceed to determine device type4693. At this step, micro-controller may obtain information fromreceiver such as type of device, manufacturer, serial number, totalpower required, battery level among other such information. Afterwards,micro-controller may proceed to run device module 4695, where it may runa routine suited to the authenticated device. In addition, if multiplereceivers are requiring power, micro-controller may deliver powerequally to all receivers or may utilize a priority status for eachreceiver. Such a priority status may be user defined. In someembodiments, the user may choose to deliver more power to itssmartphone, than to its gaming device. In other cases, the user maydecide to first power its smartphone and then its gaming device.

FIG. 47 illustrates an example of a routine 4700 that may be utilized bymicro-controller at device module. Routine 4700 may start at determinepower delivery profile 4741 where it may decide to either run on adefault power profile or a user custom profile. In the case of theformer, micro-controller may proceed to verify battery level 4743 whereit may determine power needs of the electronic device includingreceiver. Afterwards, micro-controller may proceed to a decision 4745.If the battery of the electronic device including receiver is fullycharged, at decision 4745, micro-controller may proceed to don't deliverpower 4747, and thus end routine 4700 at end 4751. On the other hand, ifthe battery of the electronic device including receiver is not fullycharged, micro-controller may proceed to verify if such electronicdevice meets specific powering criteria at decision 4749. The foregoingpowering criteria may depend on the electronic device requiring power.For example, smartphones may only receive power if are not being used,or maybe during usage but only if the user is not talking through it, ormaybe during usage as long as Wi-Fi is not compromised among other suchcriteria. In the case of a user custom profile, the user may specify theminimum battery level its equipment can have before delivering power, orthe user may specify the criteria for powering his or her device amongother such options.

Alternatively, micro-controller may also record data on a processor ontransmitter. Such data may include powering statistics related to howoften does a device require power, at what times is the devicerequesting power, how long it takes to power the device, how much powerwas delivered to such device, the priority status of devices, where isthe device mostly being powered (for example at home or in theworkplace). In addition, such statistics could be uploaded to a cloudbased server so that the user can look at all such statistics. In someembodiments, stores, coffee shops and the like providing wireless poweras a secondary service may use the aforementioned statistics forcharging a user the corresponding monetary amounts for the total powerreceived. In some cases, users may buy powering time, for example, auser may pay for an hour of power. Thus, the aforementioned statisticscan help micro-controller decide when to stop delivering power to such auser.

4. Transmitter Initiating Charge

FIG. 48 illustrates a transmitter creating at least one pocket of energyon a portable mat which may further re-direct power to other receivingdevices, according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 48 illustrates analternative configuration to WPT in the form of a wireless powertransmission 4800 where a transmitter 4801 may create at least onepocket of energy 4804 on a portable mat 4894. Mat 4894 may include atleast one receiver and at least one transmitter (not shown) forreceiving wireless power from transmitter 4801 and re-transmitting suchpower, through pocket-forming, to a device, for example a smartphone4852 operatively coupled to a receiver (not shown). In some embodiments,mat 4894 may communicate to transmitter 4801 through short RF signalssent through its antenna elements or via standard communicationsprotocol. The foregoing may allow transmitter 4801 to easily locate mat4894. The disclosed configuration may be beneficial whenever smartphone4852 may not be able to communicate directly to transmitter 4801. Thisconfiguration may also be beneficial because mat 4894 can be placedvirtually in any desirable and easy to reach location. Lastly,transmitter 4801 may include a button (not shown) similar to that oftransmitter 4801 which upon activation may produce pocket of energy 4804upon mat 4894. The duration of pocket of energy 4804 upon mat 4894 canbe custom defined to suit the needs of various users, An even furtheradvantage of WPT can be that other devices may be placed in the vicinityof mat 4894 and can too receive power wirelessly, i.e. electronicdevices requiring charge may not even be required to be placed upon mat4894.

FIG. 49 includes FIG. 49A and FIG. 49B which depict a wireless powertransmission 4900A. Referring first to FIG. 49A, a smartphone 4952Aoperatively coupled to a receiver (not shown) may be out of usable powerand may not be able to communicate with a transmitter 4901A. In thisembodiment, a tracer can be used to communicate to transmitter 4901A thelocations at which power should be delivered. Tracer can include acommunications component within it (not shown), as those described abovefor transmitters and receivers, for communicating the foregoinglocations to a transmitter 4901A. Such communications component maybecome active at the user's request. For example, tracer can include anactivation button (not shown) which after being pressed may activate theaforementioned communications component.

FIG. 49B illustrates a wireless power transmission including a tracerwhich may serve for establishing desired locations for the generation ofpockets of energy over at least one receiving device, according to anexemplary embodiment.

Following this activation, communications component may send a requestto transmitter 4901A for creating a pocket of energy 4904B at thelocation of tracer. In order to charge smartphone 4952A, users mayactivate tracer at the same or approximate location of smartphone 4952A(FIG. 49B). Upon building the necessary charge, smartphone 4952A mayoptionally communicate its location to transmitter 4901A (by its ownmeans) to continue the wireless delivery of power. In other embodiments,pockets of energy 4904B can be created at areas or regions of spacewhich may be beneficial or easy to reach for users but where noelectronic devices may be present. In this case, electronic devicesrequiring charge such as smartphone 4952A can be moved to the foregoinglocations for utilizing pockets of energy 4904B. The duration of pocketsof energy 4904B, at the absence of electronic devices requiring charge,may be custom defined by users. In some other embodiments, the durationof pockets of energy 4904B can be given by the operation of tracer, forexample, at least one pocket of energy 4904B can be generated uponactivating tracer. Such pocket of energy 4904B may remain active until asecond press of the activation button of tracer.

In the foregoing configuration of wireless power transmission,electronic devices such as smartphone 4952A can utilize smaller andcheaper receivers. The foregoing can be accomplished because receiversmay not require a communications components on their own forcommunicating locations to transmitter 4901A. Rather, tracer can be usedto perform such function. In some other embodiments, tracer can take theform of accessories which may connect to electronic via connections suchas Universal Serial Bus (USB). In this case, tracer may become activeupon being connected to a device, and may control the totality of thewireless delivery of power. In some embodiments, users may create asmany pockets of energy 4904B as devices requiring charge.

FIG. 50 illustrates a wireless power transmission 5000 where a usercarrying a tracer 5098 may create various pockets of energy 5004 indifferent locations for powering various electronic devices which mayinclude receivers for pocket-forming. Pockets of energy 5004 may beformed by a transmitter 5001, at the request and locations the userSpecifies. In addition, once devices build up charge they may optionallycommunicate their location to transmitter 5001 (by their own means) tocontinue the wireless delivery of power.

5. Powering Multiple Devices Utilizing Time Division Multiplexing

FIG. 51 illustrates a flowchart showing a method for automaticallyassigning subsets of antenna arrays for simultaneously powering two ormore client devices, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Method 5100 may start when a user or system operator accesses the systemmanagement GUI, through a web site or on a client computing device, tocommand 5153 the wireless power transmission system to charge a clientdevice that may be paired with an adaptable paired receiver or a clientdevice that may include a wireless power receiver built in as part ofthe hardware of the device. In other embodiments, the system automaticcharge schedule may also command the wireless power transmission systemto charge a client device. Subsequently, the system management may sendcharging command 5155 to all system transmitters. Each systemtransmitter may determine if it is within power range of said powerreceiver, and, if not, may select 5157 best transmitter to controlwireless power receiver of client device to power, subsequently,selected transmitter may start real-time communication with wirelesspower receiver to track 5159 direction of wireless power receiverrelative to transmission antenna array, aims entire power transmissionantenna array at wireless power receiver, and starts power transmission.Wireless power receiver may then receive said power, and subsequentlypower client device.

Following method 5100, user or automatic schedule software may command5161 a second client device to charge, subsequently, selectedtransmitter may start real-time communication with second clientdevice's receiver to track direction of second wireless power receiverand split 5163 transmitter's antenna array in half so that thetransmitter may aim and use half, or a subset of, the power antennaarray to power first client device, and aim and use the remainingantennas to power second client device, so that both client devices maycontinually receive power. Then, if the user or automatic schedulesoftware command more client devices to charge, at decision 5165, thenselected transmitter may start real-time communication with a third ormore client devices and reassign 5167 its antenna arrays by splittingsaid antenna arrays in subsets of antennas to aim and power eachreceiver. If there are no more client devices to charge, the systemmanager may check if any of the client devices being charged or poweredstops powering, at decision 5169, subsequently, if one or more clientdevices stops power, then the subset of antenna arrays assigned to powersaid client device's receiver may be re-distributed 5171 among theremaining client devices' receivers to continue powering said receivers.This process may happen almost instantaneously for the devices beingpowered because the transmitter software is already tracking andimmediately uses their exact direction relative to the antenna array. Ifno client device stops power, then the system manger may check again, atdecision 5165, if there are more client devices to charge and follow thesame steps previously described. This method may continue in a loop aslong as the wireless power system is charging or powering one or moreclient device's receiver.

FIG. 52 illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary routine 5200 that may beutilized by wireless power management software, which may be initiatedby system management GUI to command system to charge one or more clientdevices at step 5273. System management may distribute command to allsystem transmitters managed by wireless management software. Then, basedon the number of client devices to be charged, management software maydetermine if there are enough antennas and communication channelsavailable, at decision 5275. If there are enough antennas andcommunication channels for charging the client devices, then at step5277, management software may assign the closest transmitter to chargeclient device and may assign a dedicated communication channel to startcommunication with the client device, which may be to continuously trackclient device direction from power transmission antenna array, or tomonitor battery levels, or to receive measurements or other telemetry ormeta data from receiver, or any other functionality to support wirelesspower transmission. Dedicated communication channel may be selected fromavailable channels for communication with client devices.

Subsequently, wireless management software may continue charging clientdevices until more devices request power, at decision 5279. If there areno additional client devices requesting power, then routine 5200 mayend. However, if more devices are requesting power, then at decision5279, wireless power manager may determine if there are enough antennasand communication channels available for the new client devices. Ifthere are not enough antennas and communication channels, then at step5281, wireless power manager may assign all or groups of antennas fromthe antenna array and communication channels by employing Time DivisionMultiplexing (TDM).

TDM is used for transmitter communication with more power receivers thanit has channels for, by sharing the available channels over time. Ittakes turn communicating to each receiver, communicating with each onefor a finite amount of time, which may be a short amount of time such as1 second or less. By allowing frequent communication with all receivers,by sharing the limited number of transmitter communication channels, thetransmitter can then track and/or power all those receivers (andsubsequently the client devices that power receivers transmit electricalpower to).

TDM also supports sharing the power transmission from the entiretransmitter antenna array between all the devices over time. That is, asthe transmitter automatically switches communication throughout thereceivers scheduled to receiver power, so that the transmitter can trackreceiver direction (angle) relative to transmitter antenna array, italso rapidly re-directs the antenna array from one receiver to another,so that each scheduled receiver periodically gets the antenna power,during its ‘time slice.’ The transmitter may also direct an individualgroup (sub-set) of antennas to a specific receiver while simultaneouslydirecting one or more other groups to one or more other receivers.

TDM may be employed for allowing charge and more specificallycommunication between transmitters and power receivers of clientdevices, by using the existing communication channels, which may beshared by more than one device instead of being dedicated channels. Byusing TDM techniques wireless power transmitter may allow to re-assignone or more of its individual transmission antennas and communicationchannels to certain group of client devices, which may be in an onlinemode, consequently, being simultaneously powered. The remaining clientdevices may be turned in an offline mode, while online client devicesare powered and hold a communication channel in a limited interval oftime.

Subsequently, wireless power manager may continue charging clientdevices until more devices request power, at decision 5279. Finally, ifthere are no additional client devices requesting power at decision5279, then routine 5200 may end.

FIG. 53 is a flowchart of a process 5300 to power a plurality of clientdevices using a time division multiplexing (TDM) method in a wirelesspower transmission system, according to an embodiment. Process 5300 maystart when a system management GUI operated by a user in a wirelesspower transmitter system may command a system management server tomanually or automatically power one or more client devices from wirelesspower receivers, at step 5383. Subsequently, the system managementserver may communicate the commands to one or more wireless powertransmitters in the wireless power transmission system, at step 5385.

Each wireless power transmitter may examine a local system distributeddatabase or other storage means of system status, control and figurationto determine if the transmitter is within the power range of clientdevice, at step 5387, and may control the wireless power receiver of theclient device that has been commanded to receive power. If the wirelesspower receiver of the client device is not within the power range ofwireless power transmitters then the process may end. However, if thewireless power receiver of the client device is within the power rangeof any wireless power transmitter, then said wireless power transmittermay start real-time communication with the wireless power receiver ofthe client device, at step 5389. Each time that there is one or moreclient devices commanded for wireless power transmitters to be powered,then wireless power transmitters may re-divide its power transmissionantennas into groups, where each group may be assigned for each clientdevice allowing to power all client devices at the same time.

Afterwards, system management server within the wireless powertransmission system may command to wireless power transmitters if thereare enough transmitter antennas to power all the wireless powerreceivers of the client devices within the power range, at step 5391. Iftransmitter antennas within the wireless power transmitters, are able tomeet the power demand of all wireless power receivers, then the wirelesspower transmitters may continue powering all client devices, at step5393. However, if the present power resources of wireless powertransmitter do not meet the power demand of all wireless powerreceivers, then system management server may command to powertransmitter manager to implement the TDM power transmission within thewireless power transmitters, at step 5395. The wireless power managerwithin the wireless power transmitter may receive the command about theclient device to be powered, and may determine which wireless powerreceiver is associated with the client device.

Wireless power transmitter by using TDM power transmission groups orre-assigns one or more of its transmission antennas so that each groupsends power to a different wireless power receiver, so that the clientdevices of the receivers simultaneously receiver power. The remainingclient devices with wireless power receivers may be set to offline mode,while online client devices are powered. TDM power transmission systemmay determine if there is enough power for the online client devices, atstep 5397. If there is not enough power for the online client devices,that is, one or more client devices may not be receiving enough power,then the wireless power transmitter will set one or more online clientdevice to be offline, and try again, and then proceed by taking moredevices offline until all the online client devices receive enoughpower.

The TDM power transmission process may allow wireless power transmitterto power all client devices enough at regular intervals of time (or timeslots) using an automatic on/off line process, at step 5399.

Similarly, if there is not enough power for the present online clientdevices, then one by one the client devices that have been online forthe longest may be turned offline until all online client devices getenough power. However, if the client devices that are in the online modereceive enough power, then the TDM power transmission may decide to keepthe same amount of client devices in online mode and power them, at step5393.

FIG. 54 is a flowchart of a process 5400 for adjusting the numbers ofantennas assigned to a wireless power receiver so power transmissionfrom a wireless power transmitter to a receiver is more balanced.Process 5400 may be part of an overall process for wireless powertransmission, and may performed by a microprocessor, that may be part ofsystem architecture. Process 5400 may be performed by the processor byexecuting software code in a power transmission management applicationsuch as power transmitter manager app. In some embodiments, theprocessor may perform process 5400 by executing instructions laid out ina wireless power manager application, in yet other embodiments, theprocessor may perform process 5400 by executing instructions laid out ina software application that may not be part of system architecture.

The code executed by the microprocessor may cause several componentsincluded in system architecture to initiate or terminate an activity.Hardwired circuitry, alternative to those shown in system architecture,may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions toimplement processes described here. Thus, implementations described hereare not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry andsoftware. While the blocks in the disclosed process 5400 are shown in aparticular order, the actual order may differ. In some embodiments, somesteps may be performed in parallel.

The process may begin at step 5451, when a processor commands a wirelesspower transmitter (WPT) communicates with a wireless power receiver(WPR) that is close enough to establish communication with the WPT. TheWPR may communicate data to the WPT that may include the WPR'sidentification number, WPR's approximate spatial location, and WPR'spower status, among others. At step 5453, the processor may determinefrom the received data and additional data that may be stored in adatabase, such as database, whether the WPT should transmit power to theWPR. If the processor determines that the WPT should not power the WPR,it may continue to look, at step 5465, for more wireless power receiversthat are in range and should be powered. If the processor determinesthat the WPT should power the WPR, then at step 5455, the processor maycalculate a better approximation of the location of the WPR by using theapproximate spatial location data received from the WPR and additionalmetrics that may include signal strength, WPT type, and device type thatthe WPR may be attached to, among others.

At step 5457, the processor may command the WPT to assign a set ofantennas, from the antenna array, which may be used to transmit RF wavesto the WPR. At step 5459, the processor may command the WPT to modifyamplitude, and phase, among other parameters of the transmitted RF wavesto shape a beam that may be focused on the WPR. At step 5461, theprocessor may read status data that may come from the WPR. Status datacoming from the WPR may include, measurement of energy being received bythe WPR, power level of the WPR, the perceived spatial location of theWPR, and the minimum power that is enough to power the electronic deviceto which the WPR may be attached, among other operational parameters. Insome embodiments, the minimum power setting may come from other source,such as look-up tables elsewhere in the system.

At step 5463, the processor may use the information read and determineif the power transmitted to a WPR is unbalanced compared to other WPR's,or if any WPR is getting too much or too little power. If the powerreceived by the WPR is less than the minimum power, the processor maycommand the WPT, back at step 5457, to assign more antennas to the setof antennas that may be in use to power the WPR. In some embodiments, ifthe number of antennas available is not enough to power the WPR, the WPTmay utilize techniques such as time division multiplexing, to share moreantennas with the WPR to meet the power demand of the WPR that may bewithin the power range of one or more wireless power transmitters. Atechnique such as time division multiplexing may allow to chargemultiple WPR's through regular intervals of time or slot time during anautomatic online mode and offline mode sequence.

If the power received by a WPR is substantially more than its requiredminimum power, the processor may command the WPT, back at step 5457, toreduce the number of antennas assigned to the WPR, and use thede-assigned antennas to power other WPR's, allowing the first WPR tocontinue to be wirelessly powered simultaneously. At step 5465, theprocessor may look for another wirelessly powered receiver that is inrange and should be powered, and if found, the process may initiatecommunication with the new WPR, back at step 5453, and process from step5453 may repeat. When the processor determines from communication withthe WPR, that the WPT is done transmitting power the WPR, it maycommunicate to the WPR, back at step 5451, that the power transmissionhas ended, and may disconnect communication at step 5453. The WPT maythen, at step 5465, examine the database to determine which, if any, WPRis in range that the WPT should transmit power to.

FIG. 55A depicts a block diagram of a transmitter 5500A which may beutilized for wireless power transmission. Such transmitter 5500A mayinclude one or more antenna elements 5506A, one or more Radio frequencyintegrated circuit (RFIC) 5508A, one or more microcontroller 5510A, acommunication component 5512A, a power source 5514A and a housing 5501A,which may allocate all the requested components for transmitter 5500A.Components in transmitter 5500A may be manufactured usingmeta-materials, micro-printing of circuits, nano-materials, and thelike.

Transmitter 5500A may be responsible for the pocket-forming; adaptivepocket-forming and multiple pocket-forming through the use of thecomponents mentioned in the foregoing paragraph. Transmitter 5500A maysend wireless power transmission to one or more receivers in form ofradio signals, such signals may include any radio signal with anyfrequency or wavelength.

FIG. 55B is an exemplary illustration of a flat panel antenna array5500B that may be used in transmitter 5500A. Flat panel antenna array5500B may then include an N number of antenna elements 5506A where gainrequirements for power transmitting may be from 64 to 256 antennaelements 5506A which may be distributed in an equally spaced grid. Inone embodiment, flat panel antenna array 5500B may have a 8×8 grid tohave a total of 64 antenna elements 5506A. In another embodiment, flatpanel antenna array 5500B may have a 16×16 grid to have a total of 256antenna elements 5506A. However, the number of antenna elements 5506Amay vary in relation with the desired range and power transmissioncapability on transmitter 5500A, the more antenna elements 5506A, thewider range and higher power transmission capability. Alternateconfigurations may also be possible including circular patterns orpolygon arrangements. Flat panel antenna array 5500B may also be brokeninto numerous pieces and distributed across multiple surfaces(multi-faceted).

Antenna elements 5506A may include flat antenna elements 5506A, patchantenna elements 5506A, dipole antenna elements 5506A and any suitableantenna for wireless power transmission. Suitable antenna types mayinclude, for example, patch antennas with heights from about ½ inch toabout 6 inches and widths from about ½ inch to about 6 inches. Shape andorientation of antenna elements 5506A may vary in dependency of thedesired features of transmitter 5500A, orientation may be flat in X, Y,and Z axis, as well as various orientation types and combinations inthree dimensional arrangements. Antenna elements 5506A materials mayinclude any suitable material that may allow radio signal transmissionwith high efficiency, good heat dissipation and the like.

Antenna elements 5506A may include suitable antenna types for operatingin frequency bands such as 900 MHz, 2.5 GHz or 5.8 GHz as thesefrequency bands conform to Federal Communications Commission (FCC)regulations part 18 (Industrial, Scientific and Medical equipment).Antenna elements 5506A may operate in independent frequencies, allowinga multi-channel operation of pocket-forming.

In addition, antenna elements 5506A may have at least one polarizationor a selection of polarizations. Such polarization may include verticalpole, horizontal pole, circularly polarized, left hand polarized, righthand polarized, or a combination of polarizations. The selection ofpolarizations may vary in dependency of transmitter 5500Acharacteristics. In addition, antenna elements 5506A may be located invarious surfaces of transmitter 5500A.

Antenna elements 5506A may operate in single array, pair array, quadarray and any other suitable arrangement, which may be designed inaccordance with the desired application.

FIG. 56 shows antenna arrays 5686A according to various embodiments.Antenna arrays 5686A may include suitable antenna types for operating infrequency bands such as 900 MHz, 2.5 GHz, and 5.8 GHz, as thesefrequency bands may comply with the FCC regulations, part 18.

FIG. 56A shows a single array 5686A where all antenna elements 5606B mayoperate at 5.80 hz. Thus single array 5686A may be used for charging orpowering a single device.

FIG. 56B shows pair array 5686B, where the top half 5688B of antennaelements 5606B may operate at 5.8 GHz and the bottom half 5690B mayoperate at 2.4 GHz. Pair array 5686B may then be used to charge orpower, at the same time, two receivers that may operate at differentfrequency bands such as the ones described above. As seen in FIG. 56B,antenna elements 5606B may vary in size according to the antenna type.

FIG. 56C shows a quad array 5686C where each antenna element may bevirtually divided to avoid power losses during wireless powertransmission. In this embodiment, each antenna element may be virtuallydivided in two antenna elements, antenna element 5694C and antennaelement 5692C. Antenna element 5694C may be used for transmitting in 5.8GHz frequency band and antenna element 5692C may be used fortransmitting in 2.4 GHz frequency band. Quad array 5686C may then beused in situations where multiple receivers—operating at differentfrequency bands require to be charged or powered.

In a first exemplary embodiment, a portable electronic device that mayoperate at 2.4 GHz may be powered or charged. In this example, atransmitter may be used to deliver pockets of energy onto one electronicdevice. This transmitter may have a single array of 8×8 of flat panelantennas where all the antenna elements may operate in the frequencyband of 2.4 GHz flat antennas may occupy less volume than otherantennas, hence allowing a transmitter to be located at small and thinspaces, such as, walls, mirrors, doors, ceilings and the like. Inaddition, flat panel antennas may be optimized for operating to longdistances into narrow hail of wireless power transmission, such featuremay allow operation of portable devices in long areas such as, trainstations, bus stations, airports and the like. Furthermore, flat panelantennas of 8×8 may generate smaller pockets of energy than otherantennas since its smaller volume, this may reduce losses and may allowmore accurate generation of pockets of energy, such accuracy may beemployed for charging powering a variety of portable electronic devicesnear areas and/or objects which do not require pockets of energy near orover them.

In a second exemplary embodiment, two electronic devices that mayoperate at two different frequency bands may be powered or charged atthe same time. In this example, the transmitter may be used to deliverpockets of energy onto two electronic devices. In this example, thetransmitter may have a pair array with different type of antennas, flatpanel antennas and dipole antennas, where ½ of the array may be formedby flat panel antennas and the other half by dipole antennas. Asdescribed in the first exemplary embodiment, flat panel antennas may beoptimized to radiate power within narrow halls at considerabledistances. On the other hand, dipole antennas may be employed forradiating power at nearer distances but covering more area because oftheir radiation pattern, Furthermore, dipole antennas may be manuallyadjusted, this feature may be beneficial when the transmitter is locatedat crowded spaces and transmission needs to be optimized.

FIG. 57 is a chart depicting an exemplary distribution of communicationchannels 5700 over time, employing TDM in wireless power transmission.More specifically, FIG. 57 depicts a table with channels assignment for5 client devices while the wireless power transmitter only allows 4communication channels.

FIG. 57 chart shows over time how the transmitter's limited number of 4communication channels may be used to communicate with 5 receivers—morereceivers than the transmitter has channels for. Time advances from leftto right, and 10 time slices are represented. Each time slice representsa finite amount of clock time, for example 1 second. Each ‘Cn’ denotesone of the transmitter's communication channels. Each ‘Rn’ denotes oneof the wireless power receivers that receive power from wirelesstransmitter and then subsequently transmit electrical power to clientdevices.

During time-slice t0, transmitter uses channel C1 to communicate withreceiver R1, channel C2 to communicate with receiver R2, C3 for R3, andC4 for R4, and there is no communication with receiver R5.

During time-slice t1, transmitter now uses channel C1 to communicatewith receiver R5, so that R5 gets a turn receiving power, receiver R2continues communication with transmitter through channel C2, receiver R3continues with channel C3, and receiver R4 continues with channel C4.There is no communication with receiver R1.

During time-slice t2, transmitter now uses channel C2 to communicatewith receiver R1, so that R1 gets a turn receiving power, receiver R3continues communication with transmitter through channel C3, receiver R4continues with channel C4, and receiver R5 continues with channel C1.There is no communication with receiver R2.

During a time slice while transmitter is in communication with aspecific receiver, it may use that communication to get receiver powerstatus from the receiver, which values transmitter uses to aimtransmitter antennas at that receiver, to power receiver's clientdevice. The system may use other methods to control aiming antennas atreceivers, such as receiver beacon signal transmission and transmitterbeacon signal reception. Transmitter may aim a sub-set of array antennasat each of the four receivers in communication.

The pattern continues through time while the receivers are schedule bythe user to receiver power. More receivers may be added to thosescheduled, or some may be removed. When there are more than theavailable transmitter channels (in this example 4), then the channelsare shared over time (TDM) so that transmitter may communicate with anynumber of receivers. When there are not more, then the transmitterdedicates each channel to a specific receiver.

An exemplary distribution of communication channels employing TDM inwireless power transmission is depicted in a table with channelsassignment for 5 client devices while the wireless power transmitteronly allows 4 communication channels. Wireless power manager may employTDM technique when a fifth client device R5 is commanded to begin chargeat time stage t1. Subsequently, at time stage t1, wireless power managermay command wireless power transmitter to cease communication usingfirst communication channel C1 with first client device R1, and startsreal-time communication using first communication channel C1 with fifthclient device R5. Afterwards, finite amount of time later at time staget2, wireless power manager may order wireless power transmitter to ceasecommunication using second communication channel C2 with second clientdevice R2, and then wireless power transmitter may use secondcommunication channel C2 to re-start communication with first clientdevice R1, and aims an antenna group at first client device R1.Subsequently, finite amount of time later at time stage t3, wirelesspower manager may order wireless power transmitter to ceasecommunication with third client device R3 which was using thirdcommunication channel C3. Wireless power transmitter may now use thirdcommunication channel C3 to restart communication with second clientdevice R2, and aims an antenna group at second client device R2. Thisprocess may continue until the amount of client devices to be poweredchanges.

FIG. 58 is a diagram 5800 of an exemplary potential interaction betweenwireless power receivers and wireless power transmitters, according tosome embodiments. Diagram 5800 may describe a process about how TDMpower transmission (software module) may operate in a wireless powertransmitter. Specifically, the process may start at time t₀, where awireless power device (D1) may be in reach of a wireless powertransmitter, TDM power transmission may command the wireless powertransmitters to assign an antenna group (GA) to power D1.

If D1 moves from the initial position, at time t₁, TDM powertransmission may command the wireless power transmitter to change thenumbers of antennas from the original group and assign an antenna group(GB1) to power D1. If at the same time another wireless power device(D2) comes in reach of a wireless power transmitter, the TDM powertransmission may command the wireless power transmitter to assignanother antenna group (GB2) to power D2. The wireless power transmittermay now be powering two wireless power receivers.

If both D1 and D2 move from their position, at time t₃, TDM powertransmission may command the wireless power transmitter to change thenumbers of antennas from the original group and assign an antenna group(GB1) to power D1, and assign another antenna group (GC2) to power D2.If two more wireless power devices (D3 and D4) come in reach of thewireless power transmitter, the TDM power transmission may command thewireless power transmitter to assign two more antenna groups (GC3 andGC4) to power D3 and D4. The wireless power transmitter may now bepowering four devices and may have no more transmitting antennasavailable for additional wireless power receivers.

If an additional wireless power receiver (D5) comes in range of thewireless power transmitter, at time t₃ and no additional antennas areavailable for dedicating a new group to power D5, TDM power transmissionmay employ an antenna sharing techniques to make sure that all devicesare receiving power. For example, TDM power transmission may switchantenna groups from one device to another at regular time intervals. Ifno other changes in location occur, for example from times t₄ to t₉, TDMpower transmission may continue to switch groups from the wireless powerreceiver being transmitted power the most of the time, to the wirelesspower receiver being transmitted the least of the time.

FIG. 59 illustrates a diagram 5900 or exemplary potential interaction ofwireless power receivers and wireless power transmitters that may bepart of wireless power transmission system architecture. Diagram 5900may provide an example of a wireless power receiver being served by awireless power transmitter. Additional wireless power receivers may beserved as they come in reach of the wireless power transmitter,according to some embodiments.

According to another embodiment, multiple wireless power transmittersmay power together one or more receivers. At time t₀, a wireless powerdevice (D1) may come in range of the wireless power transmitter. Aprocessor may command the wireless power transmitter to assign anantenna group (GA) of all transmitter antennas to power client deviceD1.

At time t₁, the system begins to also power client device D2, and sotransmitter replaces previous antenna group G_(A) with two new antennagroups G_(B1) for D1, which continues to be powered, and group G_(B2)for newly powered device D2. Since there are two groups, each gets halfof the entire transmitter antenna array.

At time t₂, two more devices D3 and D4 begin to receiver power, sotransmitter replaces previous two antenna groups G_(B1) and G_(B2) withfour antenna groups, one for each client device (D1 D2 D3 D4) presentlybeing powered: G_(C1) G_(C2) G_(C3) G_(C4).

At time t₃, a fifth client device D5 is configured to receive power.However, the maximum allowed simultaneous antenna groups is 4. So, topower the 5 devices, Time Division Multiplexing must be used tosimultaneously power 4 devices at once using the 4 antenna groups, withone of the 5 devices being not powered during each subsequent timeinterval t_(n). Thus, at time t₃ the maximum of four antenna groupsG_(C1) G_(C2) G_(C3) G_(C4) power client devices D5, D2, D3, D4respectively. At time t₄, power stops to D2, power re-starts to D1, andD3, D4, D5 continue to receive power. The cycle pattern continuesindefinitely until devices are charged.

6. Power Transmission Management

FIG. 60 is a flow diagram 6000 generally illustrating an exemplarymethod for transmitting wireless power to a device. The steps of thisexemplary method are embodied in a computer readable medium containingcomputer readable code such that the steps are implemented when thecomputer readable code is executed by a computing device. In someimplementations, certain steps of the method can be combined, performedsimultaneously, performed in a different order, or omitted, withoutdeviating from the objective of the method.

In FIG. 60, the process begins when the client device starts 6067 theapplication on request from the user. In some embodiments, client devicedetects a receiver it is coupled to, and reads from receiver anidentifier associated with receiver. In other embodiments, receiver isan inherent to client device and consequent client device alreadyincludes the identifier associated with receiver. In yet otherembodiments, client device broadcasts or otherwise advertises theidentifier associated with receiver to other devices in range.

Next client device communicates 6069 with a system management servicethrough a suitable network connection, including intranets, local areanetworks (LAN), virtual private networks (VPN), wireless area networks(WAN), Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, and the like. Insome embodiments, client device communicates the credentials associatedwith the user of client device, the identifier of receiver associatedwith the client device, and the like. system management service thenauthenticates 6071 the credentials associated with client device. Insome embodiments, if the credentials cannot be authenticated the user isdirected to register. In other embodiments, if the authentication failsthe system management service denies access to the user.

Client device then detects 6073 a broadcast from transmitter and readsan identifier associated with transmitter. In some embodiments,transmitter broadcasts its presence and an identifier associated with itusing Bluetooth, Bluetooth low energy (BTLE), Wi-Fi, or the like.Identifiers associated with transmitter can include the transmitter'sMAC address, network address, serial number, and the like. client devicedisplays 6075 a representation of transmitter to the mobile device uservia GUI. In some embodiments, GUI produces the representation oftransmitter allowing a mobile device user to request power transmissionfrom transmitter to client device. In other embodiments, GUI displaysadditional information, such as, for example the distance fromtransmitter to client device, the cost associated with receiving powerfrom transmitter, and the like.

Next, client device receives 6077 a command from the mobile device userto being powering client device. client device sends request 6079 forwireless power delivery to system management service. In someembodiments, the request sent by client device includes credentials(e.g., user account credentials) associated with client device, anidentifier associated with one or more nearby Transmitters, anidentifier associated with client device, an identifier associated witha receiver coupled to the client device (if not integral to the device),billing instructions, and the like.

System management service then authenticates 6081 client device,verifies the billing configuration, and verifies if client device isauthorized to receive wireless power. In some embodiments, systemmanagement service authenticates client device by comparing credentialscontained within the request (e.g. user account credentials) and theidentifier associated with client device to data stored in a databasewithin cloud service provider. In other embodiments, system managementservice additionally verifies that the user's billing configuration isvalid. system management service then determines 6083 if client deviceis authorized to receive power. In some embodiments, if the clientdevice is not authorized the process ends. In other embodiments, theprocess continues to another process allowing the mobile device user toauthorize the client device by adding additional funding to the account,request authorization from a third party, or the like.

System management service communicates 6085 with transmitter andcommands it to power receiver associated with client device. In someembodiments, the system management service communicates with thetransmitter using a suitable network connection, including intranets,local area networks (LAN), virtual private networks (VPN), wireless areanetworks (WAN), Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, and thelike. In other embodiments, the command includes any number of suitableparameters for carrying out a desired method of charging, includingdesired power output, amount of time to charge, amount of power totransmit, and the like. In some embodiments, receiver is integral toclient device. In other embodiments, receiver is a wireless receivercoupled and in electrical communication with one or more client devices.

Transmitter establishes 6087 communication with receiver and locates itin 3-D space. transmitter then uses its antennas to form a pocket ofenergy at the receiver 6089. Next, receiver receives 6091 RF energy fromthe pocket formed by the transmitter and powers the client device.

FIG. 61 is a flow diagram 6100 generally illustrating an exemplarymethod for monitoring wireless power transmitted to a device. The stepsof this exemplary method are embodied in a computer readable mediumcontaining computer readable code such that the steps are implementedwhen the computer readable code is executed by a computing device. Insome implementations, certain steps of the method can be combined,performed simultaneously, performed in a different order, or omitted,without deviating from the objective of the method.

In FIG. 61, the process begins with transmitter reading 6151 power andenergy data from receiver. In some embodiments, receiver is integral toclient device. In other embodiments, receiver is a wireless receivercoupled and in electrical communication with one or more client devices.In some embodiments, the data includes the rate of power delivered fromWireless Power transmitter to receiver, the total energy transferredfrom Wireless Power transmitter to receiver, the current battery powerlevel of client device, and the like.

Transmitter then communicates 6153 with system management service andinforms it that it is charging client device. In some embodiments,transmitter additionally reports energy/power transmitted to fulfill thecharging request for client device, the identifier of receiver, and thelike.

Next, system management service bills 6155 the mobile device user forthe energy sent from transmitter to client device, if required. systemmanagement service then communicates 6157 account information to clientdevice. In some embodiments, account information includes billinginformation and other information associated with the current chargingsession, information from previous charging sessions, account balanceinformation, charges associated with receiving wireless power during thecurrent charging session, rate of power transmission from transmitter,and the like.

GUI displayed by client device shows 6159 that client device is beingpowered. In some embodiments, GUI displays the aforementioned accountbalance information, account information, and the like.

One or more of the wireless power transmitters, receivers, and/or thesystem management service then communicate 6161 usage and statusinformation to information distribution service. In some embodiments,the usage and status information is used for running analytics oncustomer behavior, demographics, service quality, and the like. In someembodiments, information distribution service is hosted in a remotecloud. In other embodiments, information distribution service is hostedin a local network.

For example, a user having a smartphone walks into a coffee shop. Thesmartphone detects a wireless power transmitter operated by the coffeeshop and reads transmitter's ID. The user then notices that thesmartphone is low on power, and proceeds to command a mobile app torequest local wireless power. The user may also have configured wirelesspower system management to do this automatically whenever and/orwherever wireless power is available. The smartphone then communicatesits ID, its receiver's ID, and the transmitter's ID to the systemmanagement service. The system management service reviews its systemdatabase and finds the smartphone or its receiver, as well as thetransmitter. The system management service then communicates with thetransmitter and commands it to power the user's smartphone receiver.Transmitter then communicates with the receiver to determine thereceiver's location, and transmits wireless energy to the receiver usingpocket-forming techniques. The receiver proceeds to power the smartphonewith this energy.

In another example, a user with a wearable device having a built-inwireless power receiver visits a friend's house, where the houseequipped with a wireless power transmitter. The wearable device detectsthe house's wireless power transmitter and reads the transmitter's ID,and the homeowner's transmitter has configured the system managementservice to automatically power any wireless power receiver. The wearabledevice's receiver communicates its ID and transmitter's ID to the systemmanagement service, and the system management service then reviews itssystem database and finds the wearable device, its receiver, and thetransmitter. The system management service then communicates with thetransmitter and commands it to power the wearable device's receiver. Thetransmitter then communicates with the receiver to determine receiver'slocation, and transmits wireless energy to the receiver using adaptive3-D pocket-forming techniques. The receiver then powers the wearabledevice with this energy.

7. Measuring and Reporting Power Level

FIG. 62 is a flowchart of a method for monitoring battery performance6200 in a wireless power transmission system, according to anembodiment. In some exemplary embodiments, the Wireless Powertransmission system is capable of determining the present or actual rateat which the battery of an electronic device is charging, and comparethat value with the expected reference rate. If the present rate issignificantly less than the expected reference rate then the battery orrelated charging circuit within the electronic device may bemalfunctioning and causing significantly less charging efficiency orperformance.

When the Wireless Power transmission system detects this errorcondition, the system may then alert the system operator or user of theclient device, or any other suitable party, so that the problem may becorrected and the electronic device battery charging system may nolonger waste power when charging or stops taking longer periods of timeto charge than it should.

In an alternative embodiment, the wireless power transmission system tomonitors the charging rate of the client device from when the device wasfirst put into service with the system, and then use this as a referenceto compare against the present rate of charge for the device, so that ifever the present rate of charging for the device becomes less than thereference rate that was based on the initial rate of charge, then alertswould be generated by the system indicating that something is wrong withthe device and it is taking too long to charge or wasting power when itis being charged.

In some exemplary embodiments, method for monitoring battery performance6281 may start with step 6263, where an operator or user installs andoperates a wireless Power transmission system. Then, a client device maybe paired with a wireless power receiver within the system, at step6265. Pairing may occur when a client electronic device detects that apower receiver is within a suitable range of proximity for a suitableamount of time. Then, it may proceed to check an internal database todetermine if the power receiver is not already paired with anotherelectronic device. If the power receiver is not already paired withanother device, the client electronic device may associate its ID withthe ID of the power receiver and update the internal database. Then, theelectronic device may send a copy of the updated database record to thepower transmitter. In this way the device may be ready to start changingwirelessly.

At step 6267, the wireless power transmitter may continuously monitorthe battery level of the client device to determine, at step 6269, ifthe battery needs to be charged. In other embodiments, the wirelesspower transmitter may charge the client device according to a predefinedschedule. The wireless power transmission system may automaticallycharge the battery of the client device whenever it is time to do so, orif the battery level is below full and the battery needs to be charged,or system may automatically charge battery in response to some othercondition or situation that may be built into the system, or configuredby the operator or user, or other.

If the wireless power transmitter determines that the client deviceneeds to be charged, it may start transmitting power to the wirelesspower receiver connected to the client device, at step 6271. To do so,the wireless power transmitter continuously communicate in real-timewith the wireless power receiver.

During the charging period, at step 6273, the receiver constantly sendsthe charge power values to the wireless power transmitter. Additionally,the client device may constantly send the battery level values to thewireless power transmitter, at step 6275.

Using the values received at steps 6273 and 6275, the wireless powertransmitter is capable of calculating the charging rate of the clientdevice, at step 6277. In some embodiments, the wireless powertransmitter will monitor his own real time clock circuit or other, tomeasure present real-time or clock time, in order to calculate thecharging rate of the client device battery.

Then, at step 6279, the wireless power transmitter may determine if therate of charge of the client device is within an acceptable range or ifits not. In some exemplary embodiments, the wireless power transmitterwill look up in a reference table the expected charging rate for theparticular client device; the unique identification or category of thedevice previously made known to the system either by operator, or user,or automatically by the client device communication of said categoriesfrom client device directly to the wireless power transmitter or othersystem computer of the wireless power transmission system. Saidreference table is located within transmitter memory, or local database,or downloaded or communicated to transmitter from remote management orinformation service on a remote server.

In some embodiments, the reference charging rate expected of aparticular client device is already stored in the transmitter's memory.Also, the rate of each category or model of client device that thetransmitter is expected to charge, are all also stored in memory. Theserates may have been already stored in memory of transmitter at the timeof transmitter manufacture, or may have been uploaded to or communicatedto transmitter from another system computer, such as a system managementserver that contains updated rates for all types, categories, or modelsof client devices that the wireless power transmission system isexpected to charge.

If the wireless power transmitter detects that actual chargingperformance of device is below expected charging performance, thentransmitter may alert a system operator, or the client device user, thatbattery or charging circuit or other of client devices ismalfunctioning, may be losing power, may be taking too long to charge,and needs to be investigated or repaired or replaced, at step 6281. Insome embodiments, the wireless power transmitter is also capable ofdetermining the root cause of the system malfunction, when the batteryof the client device is not causing the low charging rate or loss ofpower.

In some embodiments, the wireless power transmitter communicates thisinformation through automatic database replication, sending messageacross the system network between the transmitter and other systemcomputers or through other suitable communication means. Furthermore,the operator or user may receive the alert and respond by configuringthe wireless system to no longer wirelessly charge the client device,and then removing the client device from service so that it may beinvestigated, repaired or replaced or other suitable solutions.

If the wireless power transmitter determines that no evidence of asystem or component fault is found in the data analyzed, the wirelesspower transmitter may continue to charge the client device, andcontinuously check, at step 6283, if the battery level of the clientdevice is full. If the battery of the client device is not full, thewireless power transmitter may continue to transmit wireless power tothe wireless power receiver connected to the client device to keepcharging the client device. If the battery of the client device isalready full or its time to stop charging the device, the wireless powertransmitter stops charging the device, at step 6285, and the process mayend.

FIG. 63 is a sequence diagram 6300 of a method for monitoring batteryperformance, according to exemplary aspects of the present disclosure.Sequence diagram 6300 includes a client device 6352, a system managementcomputer 6373, wireless power transmitter 6301, wireless power receiver6320 and user or operator 6375.

System management computer first sends the expected charge rate 6355 ofclient device 6352 to the wireless power transmitter 6301. Then, clientdevice 6352 sends information about client device's 6373 battery level6357. Afterwards, wireless power transmitter 6301 starts deliveringwireless power 6359 to wireless power receiver 6320, which is connectedto client device 6352. Then, wireless power receiver constantly sendsmeasurements 6361 of the amount power delivered to client device 6352.Subsequently, client device 6352 sends latest battery level 6363 towireless power transmitter 6301. Using the measurements 6361 of theamount power delivered to client device 6352 and latest battery level6363, wireless power transmitter 6301 calculates the rate of charge ofclient device 6352. In case the rate of charge of client device 6352 isbellow the threshold, wireless power transmitter sends and alert 6365 touser or operator 6375. Then, user or operator 6375 takes an action 6367in order to correct the error.

For example, a family has a wireless power transmission system installedin their home. One member of their family configures the system towirelessly power and charge a smartphone. The smartphone is severalyears old. The system automatically charges the smartphone whenever thesmartphone is within power range of the system and the battery level ofthe smartphone is low enough to warrant charge. The family has installedinto the smartphone the software app downloaded from a public app store,which is the system management app for the wireless power transmissionsystem. This app automatically communicates value of the battery levelof the smartphone to the system. After charging the smartphone, thesystem observes that the smartphone took three times longer than itshould have to completely charge up. The system then communicates analert of this problem to the owner of the family system by sending theowner a text message with the name of the smartphone and a briefdescription of the problem. The owner subsequently purchases areplacement smartphone.

In another example, a user purchases a wearable product that goes onuser's wrist. The product contains wireless power receiver. The wirelesspower transmitter is in user's bedroom, and each night user goes to bedwearing product the wearable on the wrist of user. The wireless powertransmission system then automatically charges the battery within thewearable by transmitting power from the transmitter in the bedroom adistance away from the power receiver, to the power receiver within thewearable on the wrist of the user. Each night, the wearable batterycharges back up.

Beginning with the first time that the transmitter charged the wearableclient device, the transmitter computed the charge rate of thewearable's battery. The wireless power transmission system has noreference information about the battery's charge rate for thisparticular wearable product.

After over a year, the wireless power transmission system detects thatthe amount of time to charge the wearable battery is now longer than ittook when the user first began wirelessly charging the wearable with thesystem. Subsequently, the system issues an alert to the user by sendingan e-mail containing a message that the wearable of the user is nowtaking longer to charge. Subsequently, the user replaces the wearableproduct with the latest model.

8. Safely Transmitting Power

FIG. 64 shows a flowchart of a method 6400 for proscribing clientdevices from receiving power from a wireless power transmission system,based on proscribed circumstances of heath safety. The disclosed methodmay operate in one or more components of a wireless power transmissionsystem. The wireless power transmission system may include one or moresystem computers, GUI system management software running on clientdevices, one or more remote information service servers, and one or moresystem management servers, among others. System computer may refer toone of the computers of a wireless power transmission system and is partof the communication network between all computers of the wireless powertransmission system. The system computer may communicate through saidnetwork to any other system computer, and may be a wireless powertransmitter, a wireless power receiver, a client device, a systemmanagement service server, and/or any other computing device. Examplesof client devices may include smartphones, tablets, and music players,among others.

The remote information service server may be coupled to a systemdatabase which may be duplicated or distributed across all networkcomputers operating in the wireless power transmission system. Saiddistributed system database along with the database distributionmanagement software operating within all network computers may allowinstant communication in the wireless power transmission system. Networkcomputer may refer to any system computer, or the active remoteinformation server, that is online and has a connection to the networkof a particular wireless power transmission system.

The process may start at step 6469 when the wireless power transmissionsystem (WPTS) boots up and runs a system checkup to make sure allcommunication channels work properly. Subsequently, at step 6471 theuser may download and install the system management software app (GUIApp) in client device for the WPTS, if this step has not already beendone. This app may be made available at, downloaded, and installed froma public software app store or digital application distributionplatform, such as Apple's iTunes, Google's Play Store, Amazon's Appstore, and the like. In other embodiments, the user may browse to a webpage hosted by a computer or server where the user may command, control,or configure the WPTS. The app or web page may have a user interfacethat includes, but is not limited to, industry standard checkmarkcontrols, or any other user interface control for specifying orcontrolling health safety operational parameters, displayed anddescribed on the view screen of a client device, or web page served by acomputer that manages the wireless power transmission system.

Following the process, at decision 6473, the GUI app verifies if thereare any proscriptions for power transmission enabled in the WPTS. Ifproscriptions for power transmission have been enabled, continues tostep 6485 below, otherwise proscriptions for power transmission have notyet been enabled, then at decision 6475, GUI may display a message tothe user asking if the user desires to enable health safety operationalparameters for wireless power transmission. If the user does not acceptto enable proscriptions, then WPTS allows power delivery withoutproscriptions, at step 6491, and the process ends. If at decision 508the user accepts to enable proscriptions, then at step 6477, the GUI appmay display a check list to user where be or she may specify thecircumstances when wireless power should not be transmitted to thedevice in use by the user. Then, at step 6479, the user specifies theproscribed circumstances which may include, but are not limited to, thefollowing criteria:

1) If the client device is presently in movement, indicating that theuser has the device on the user's person or is holding or wearing thedevice. Motion or movement of a client device may refer to a physical,3-D movement of a client device relative to the transmitter transmittingpower to the device, or relative to the spatial location of thetransmitter, such that while in motion the client device may change itsphysical distance from the transmitter or may change its angle from withthe antenna array in the transmitter.

2) If the client device is presently physically oriented in any attitudethat is an indication that it is in use. For example, if the device is amobile cell phone that is presently vertically oriented.

3) If the client device presently detects that it is within proximity toa user, such as if the device is being held to the user's face.

4) If the client device presently is placing a telephone call.

5) If the user is presently touching, tapping, or making finger gesturessuch as swiping, pinching, twirling, or interacting with the clientdevice in any way.

6) If the client device is presently connected with a headset or anyother external device.

Subsequently, at step 6487, after the user specifies proscribedcircumstances or criteria, applies proscribed circumstances policythroughout all system computers. Then, at step 6483, WPTS updates Clientdevice data records in its distributed database. The WPTS reads andverifies proscribed circumstances associated with the client device.Subsequently, at step 6485, the WPTS reads and verifies proscribedcircumstances associated with the client device. Next, at decision 6487,if proscribed circumstances are present, then at step 6489, powerdelivery is disabled, or if at decision 6487, proscribed circumstancesare not present, then power delivery is enabled at step 6489. Theprocess ends.

GUI app running on said client device may continually monitor the clientdevice to detect if the present operation of said client device matchesany of the proscribed circumstances of health safety. Monitoring theclient device may include, but is not limited to, reading measurementhardware within said device that determines device's present velocity,yaw, pitch, or roll, or attitude by using accelerometers or gyroscopesinternal to said client device, or a sensor that indices if device ishelp to face, or sensing any other aspect of the device that indicatesif a proscribed circumstance is present

The health safety determination, of whether or not the client device ispresently in a circumstance proscribed from receiving power from saidtransmission system, may be stored by the GUI app within the data recordthat describes control and configuration of said client device. Saidrecord may be part of the WPTS's distributed database, a copy of whichresides within said client device's memory. GUI app and other computerswithin the wireless power transmission system then automaticallydistribute said updated record throughout said system to keep all copiesof said database, throughout the WPTS, identical.

An exemplary embodiment describes how a decision is made to transmitpower to a client device. Within the system database, the record of apaired client device is associated with the record of the wireless powerreceiver attached or built within said client device.

If the user uses any user interface (GUI or web page) of a WPTS tomanually command said client device be charged (from power received bysaid wireless power receiver), or if the user has used said userinterface to configure the record of said wireless power receiver toautomatically charge said client device, such as by time, name, orphysical location, or other method, then, the record of said wirelesspower receiver will be updated by the wireless power transmitter thathas present control of the database record of said wireless powerreceiver because it is the nearest wireless power transmitter to saidwireless power receiver, to indicate that said wireless power receivershould presently close its output switch to allow power to output tosaid client device. Said record of said wireless power receiver is alsodistributed, by said wireless power transmitter, throughout said systemfor other wireless power transmitters to read.

Once said wireless power transmitter that controls said wireless powerreceiver determines it should transmit power to said wireless powerreceiver, it next examines the record of the client device associated orpaired with said wireless power receiver, and will only transmit powerto said wireless power receiver if said health safety determination doesnot presently proscribe transmission of power to said client device. Ifpower transmission is not proscribed, then power transmitter may takethe following actions:

A) Begins real-time communication with said receiver to get continuousfeedback of amount of power received, in order to keep transmissionantennas aimed at said receiver.

B) Begins power transmission to said receiver.

C) Commands receiver to close its electrical relay switch to connect andtransmit electrical energy to client device.

If user changes said safety proscriptions, then said wireless powertransmitter will re-determine if said wireless power receiver shouldreceive power or not.

F. Wireless Power Transmission with Selective Range

1. Constructive Interference

FIG. 6A is an exemplary system representing wireless power transmissionprinciples that may be implemented during exemplary pocket-formingprocesses. A transmitter 601 comprising a plurality of antennas in anantenna array, may adjust the phase and amplitude of a powertransmission waves 607, among other attributes, being transmitted fromeach antenna of the transmitter 601. In absence of any phase oramplitude adjustment, power transmission waves 607 may be transmittedfrom each of the antennas. In this case the waves being transmitted willarrive at different locations, with different phases; due to thedifferent distances from each antenna element of the transmitter toreceivers located at each location.

A receiver may receive multiple signals 607 a from multiple antennaelements and the composite of those signal may be essentially zero, ifthe signals add destructively. Antenna elements of the transmitter maytransmit the exact same power transmission signal (i.e., comprisingpower transmission waves having the same features), but however each ofthe power transmission signals 607 a may arrive at the receiver, offsetfrom each other by 180 degrees, and therefore these power transmissionsignals may “cancel” one another. Signals offsetting one another in thisway may be referred to as “destructive interference.” In contrast, inso-called “constructive interference,” signals 607 b arrive at thereceiver exactly “in phase” with one another, and therefore increase theamplitude of the signal, as shown in FIG. 6B. In the illustrativeexample in FIG. 6A, note that the phase of the transmit signals are thesame at transmission and they ad up destructively at the receiver;whereas, in FIG. 6B, the phase of the transmit signals are adjusted attransmit such that they arrive at the receiver in phase alignment andadd constructively. In this illustrative example, there will be a pocketof energy located around the receiver in FIG. 6B, and there will be atransmit null located around receiver in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7 depicts wireless power transmission with selective range 700,where a transmitter 702 may produce pocket-forming for a plurality ofreceivers associated with electrical devices 701. Transmitter 702 maygenerate pocket-forming through wireless power transmission withselective range 700, which may include one or more wireless chargingradii 704 and one or more radii of null in a particular physicallocation 706. A plurality of electronic devices 701 may be charged orpowered in wireless charging radii 704. Thus, several spots of energymay be created, such spots may be employed for enabling restrictions forpowering and charging electronic devices 701. As an example, therestrictions may include operating specific electronics in a specific orlimited spot, contained within wireless charging radii 704. Furthermore,safety restrictions may be implemented by the use of wireless powertransmission with selective range 700, such safety restrictions mayavoid pockets of energy over areas or zones where energy needs to beavoided, such areas may include areas including sensitive equipment topockets of energy and/or people which do not want pockets of energy overand/or near them. In embodiments such as the one shown in FIG. 7, thetransmitter 702 may comprise antenna elements found on a different planethan the receivers associated with electrical devices 701 in the servedarea. For example the receivers of electrical devices 701 may be in aroom where a transmitter 702 may be mounted on the ceiling. Selectiveranges for establishing pockets of energy using power transmissionwaves, which may be represented as concentric circles by placing anantenna array of the transmitter 702 on the ceiling or other elevatedlocation, and the transmitter 702 may emit power transmission waves thatwill generate ‘cones’ of energy pockets. In some embodiments, thetransmitter 701 may control the radius of each charging radii 704,thereby establishing intervals for service area to create pockets ofenergy that are pointed down to an area at a lower plane, which mayadjust the width of the cone through appropriate selection of antennaphase and amplitudes.

FIG. 8 depicts wireless power transmission with selective range 800,where a transmitter 802 may produce pocket-forming for a plurality ofreceivers 806. Transmitter 802 may generate pocket-forming throughwireless power transmission with selective range 800, which may includeone or more wireless charging spots 804. A plurality of electronicdevices may be charged or powered in wireless charging spots 804.Pockets of energy may be generated over a plurality of receivers 806regardless the obstacles 804 surrounding them. Pockets of energy may begenerated by creating constructive interference, according to theprinciples described herein, in wireless charging spots 804. Location ofpockets of energy may be performed by tacking receivers 806 and byenabling a plurality of communication protocols by a variety ofcommunication systems such as, Bluetooth® technology, infraredcommunication, Wi-Fi, FM radio, among others.

G. Exemplary System Embodiment Using Heat Maps

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate a diagram of architecture 900A, 900B for awirelessly charging client computing platform, according to an exemplaryembodiment. In some implementations, a user may be inside a room and mayhold on his hands an electronic device (e.g. a smartphone, tablet). Insome implementations, electronic device may be on furniture inside theroom. The electronic device may include a receiver 920A, 920B eitherembedded to the electronic device or as a separate adapter connected toelectronic device. Receivers 920A, 920B may include all the componentsdescribed in FIG. 11. A transmitter 902A, 902B may be hanging on one ofthe walls of the room right behind user. Transmitters 902A, 902B mayalso include all the components described in FIG. 11.

As user may seem to be obstructing the path between receivers 920A, 920Band transmitters 902A, 902B, RF waves may not be easily aimed to thereceivers 920A, 920B in a linear direction. However, since the shortsignals generated from receivers 920A, 920B may be omni-directional forthe type of antenna element used, these signals may bounce over thewalls 944A, 944B until they reach transmitters 902A, 902B. A hot spot944A, 944B may be any item in the room which will reflect the RF waves.For example, a large metal clock on the wall may be used to reflect theRF waves to a user's cell phone.

A micro controller in the transmitter adjusts the transmitted signalfrom each antenna based on the signal received from the receiver.Adjustment may include forming conjugates of the signal phases receivedfrom the receivers and further adjustment of transmit antenna phasestaking into account the built-in phase of antenna elements. The antennaelement may be controlled simultaneously to steer energy in a givendirection. The transmitter 902A, 902B may scan the room, and look forhot spots 944A, 944B. Once calibration is performed, transmitters 902A,902B may focus RF waves in a channel following a path that may be themost efficient paths. Subsequently, RF signals 942A, 942B may form apocket of energy on a first electronic device and another pocket ofenergy in a second electronic device while avoiding obstacles such asuser and furniture. When scanning the service area, the room in FIGS. 9Aand 9B, the transmitter may employ different methods. As an illustrativeexample, but without limiting the possible methods that can be used, thetransmitter may detect the phases and magnitudes of the signal comingfrom the receiver and use those to form the set of transmit phases andmagnitudes, for example by calculating conjugates of them and applyingthem at transmit. As another illustrative example, the transmitter mayapply all possible phases of transmit antennas in subsequenttransmissions, one at a time, and detect the strength of the pocket ofenergy formed by each combination by observing the signal from thereceiver. Then the transmitter repeats this calibration time to time.Note that the transmitter does not have to search through all possiblephases and can search through a set of phases that are more likely toresult in strong pockets of energy based on prior calibration values. Inyet another illustrative example, the transmitter may use preset valuesof transmit phases for the antennas to form pockets of energy directedto different locations in the room. The transmitter may for example scanthe physical space in the room from top to bottom and left to right byusing preset phase values for antennas in subsequent transmissions. Thetransmitter then detects the phase values that result in the strongestpocket of energy around the receiver by observing the signal from thereceiver. There are other methods possible, without deviating from thespirit of what's described herein. Result of the scan, whichever themethod is used, is a heat-map of the room where the transmitteridentifies the hot spots that indicate the best phase and magnitudevalues to use for transmit antennas in order to maximize the pocket ofenergy around the receiver.

The transmitters 902A, 902B, may use the Bluetooth connection todetermine the location of the receivers 920A, 920B, and may usedifferent non-overlapping parts of the RF band to to channel the RFwaves to different receivers 920A, 920B. In some implementations, thetransmitters 902A, 902B, may conduct a scan of the room to determine thelocation of the receivers 920A, 920B and forms pockets of energy thatare orthogonal to each other, by virtue of non-overlapping RFtransmission bands. Using multiple pockets of energy to direct energy toreceivers may inherently be safer than some alternative powertransmission methods since no single transmission is very strong, whilethe aggregate power transmission signal received at the receiver isstrong.

H. Exemplary System Embodiment

FIG. 10A illustrates wireless power transmission using multiplepocket-forming 1000A that may include one transmitter 1002A and at leasttwo or more receivers 1020A. Receivers 1020A may communicate withtransmitters 1002A, which is further described in FIG. 11. Oncetransmitter 1002A identifies and locates receivers 1020A, a channel orpath can be established by knowing the gain and phases coming fromreceivers 1020A. Transmitter 1002A may start to transmit controlled RFwaves 1042A which may converge in three-dimensional space by using aminimum of two antenna elements. These RF waves 1042A may be producedusing an external power source and a local oscillator chip using asuitable piezoelectric material. RF waves 1042A may be controlled byRFIC, which may include a proprietary chip for adjusting phase and/orrelative magnitudes of RF signals that may serve as inputs for antennaelements to form constructive interference patterns (pocket-forming).Pocket-forming may take advantage of interference to change thedirectionality of the antenna elements where constructive interferencegenerates a pocket of energy 1060A and deconstructive interferencegenerates a null. Receivers 1020A may then utilize pocket of energy1060A produced by pocket-forming for charging or powering an electronicdevice, for example, a laptop computer 1062A and a smartphone 1052A andthus effectively providing wireless power transmission.

Multiple pocket forming 1000A may be achieved by computing the phase andgain from each antenna of transmitter 1002A to each receiver 1020A. Thecomputation may be calculated independently because multiple paths maybe generated by antenna element from transmitter 1002A to antennaelement from receivers 1020A.

I. Exemplary System Embodiment

FIG. 10B is an exemplary illustration of multiple adaptivepocket-forming 1000B. In this embodiment, a user may be inside a roomand may hold on his hands an electronic device, which in this case maybe a tablet 1064B. In addition, smartphone 1052B may be on furnitureinside the room. Tablet 1064B and smartphone 1052B may each include areceiver either embedded to each electronic device or as a separateadapter connected to tablet 1064B and smartphone 1052B. Receiver mayinclude all the components described in FIG. 11. A transmitter 1002B maybe hanging on one of the walls of the room right behind user.Transmitter 1002B may also include all the components described in FIG.11. As user may seem to be obstructing the path between receiver andtransmitter 1002B, RF waves 1042B may not be easily aimed to eachreceiver in a line of sight fashion. However, since the short signalsgenerated from receivers may be omni-directional for the type of antennaelements used, these signals may bounce over the walls until they findtransmitter 1002B. Almost instantly, a micro-controller which may residein transmitter 1002B, may recalibrate the transmitted signals, based onthe received signals sent by each receiver, by adjusting gain and phasesand forming a convergence of the power transmission waves such that theyadd together and strengthen the energy concentrated at that location—incontrast to adding together in a way to subtract from each other anddiminish the energy concentrated at that location, which is called“destructive interference” and conjugates of the signal phases receivedfrom the receivers and further adjustment of transmit antenna phasestaking into account the built-in phase of antenna elements. Oncecalibration is performed, transmitter 1002B may focus RF waves followingthe most efficient paths. Subsequently, a pocket of energy 1060B mayform on tablet 1064B and another pocket of energy 1060B in smartphone1052B while taking into account obstacles such as user and furniture.The foregoing property may be beneficial in that wireless powertransmission using multiple pocket-forming 1000B may inherently be safeas transmission along each pocket of energy is not very strong, and thatRF transmissions generally reflect from living tissue and do notpenetrate.

Once transmitter 1002B identities and locates receiver, a channel orpath can be established by knowing the gain and phases coming fromreceiver. Transmitter 1002B may start to transmit controlled RF waves1042B that may converge in three-dimensional space by using a minimum oftwo antenna elements. These RF waves 1042B may be produced using anexternal power source and a local oscillator chip using a suitablepiezoelectric material. RF waves 1042B may be controlled by RFIC thatmay include a proprietary chip for adjusting phase and/or relativemagnitudes of RF signals, which may serve as inputs for antenna elementsto form constructive and destructive interference patterns(pocket-forming). Pocket-forming may take advantage of interference tochange the directionality of the antenna elements where constructiveinterference generates a pocket of energy and deconstructiveinterference generates a null in a particular physical location.Receiver may then utilize pocket of energy produced by pocket-formingfor charging or powering an electronic device, for example a laptopcomputer and a smartphone and thus effectively providing wireless powertransmission.

Multiple pocket-forming 1000B may be achieved by computing the phase andgain from each antenna of transmitter to each receiver. The computationmay be calculated independently because multiple paths may be generatedby antenna elements from transmitter to antenna elements from receiver.

An example of the computation for at least two antenna elements mayinclude determining the phase of the signal from the receiver andapplying the conjugate of the receive parameters to the antenna elementsfor transmission.

In some embodiments, two or more receivers may operate at differentfrequencies to avoid power losses during wireless power transmission.This may be achieved by including an array of multiple embedded antennaelements in transmitter 1002B. In one embodiment, a single frequency maybe transmitted by each antenna in the array. In other embodiments someof the antennas in the array may be used to transmit at a differentfrequency. For example, ½ of the antennas in the array may operate at2.4 GHz while the other ½ may operate at 5.8 GHz. In another example, ⅓of the antennas in the array may operate at 900 MHz, Another ⅓ Mayoperate at 2.4 GHz, and the remaining antennas in the array may operateat 5.8 GHz.

In another embodiment, each array of antenna elements may be virtuallydivided into one or more antenna elements during wireless powertransmission, where each set of antenna elements in the array cantransmit at a different frequency. For example, an antenna element ofthe transmitter may transmit power transmission signals at 2.4 GHz, buta corresponding antenna element of a receiver may be configured toreceive power transmission signals at 5.8 GHz. In this example, aprocessor of the transmitter may adjust the antenna element of thetransmitter to virtually or logically divide the antenna elements in thearray into a plurality patches that may be fed independently. As aresult, ¼ of the array of antenna elements may be able to transmit the5.8 GHz needed for the receiver, while another set of antenna elementsmay transmit at 2.4 GHz. Therefore, by virtually dividing an array ofantenna elements, electronic devices coupled to receivers can continueto receive wireless power transmission. The foregoing may be beneficialbecause, for example, one set of antenna elements may transmit at about2.4 GHz and other antenna elements may transmit at 5.8 GHz, and thus,adjusting a number of antenna elements in a given array when workingwith receivers operating at different frequencies. In this example, thearray is divided into equal sets of antenna elements (e.g., four antennaelements), but the array may be divided into sets of different amountsof antenna elements. In an alternative embodiment, each antenna elementmay alternate between select frequencies.

The efficiency of wireless power transmission as well as the amount ofpower that can be delivered (using pocket-forming) may be a function ofthe total number of antenna elements 1006 used in a given receivers andtransmitters system. For example, for delivering about one watt at about15 feet, a receiver may include about 80 antenna elements while atransmitter may include about 256 antenna elements. Another identicalwireless power transmission system (about 1 watt at about 15 feet) mayinclude a receiver with about 40 antenna elements, and a transmitterwith about 512 antenna elements. Reducing in half the number of antennaelements in a receiver may require doubling the number of antennaelements in a transmitter. In some embodiments, it may be beneficial toput a greater number of antenna elements in transmitters than in areceivers because of cost, because there will be much fewer transmittersthan receivers in a system-wide deployment. However, the opposite can beachieved, e.g., by placing more antenna elements on a receiver than on atransmitter as long as there are at least two antenna elements in atransmitter 1002B.

II. Transmitters—Systems and Methods for Wireless Power Transmissions

Transmitters may be responsible for the pocket-forming, adaptivepocket-forming and multiple pocket-forming using the componentsdescribed below. Transmitters may transmit wireless power transmissionsignals to receivers in the form of any physical media capable ofpropagating through space and being converted into useable electricalenergy; examples may include RF waves, infrared, acoustics,electromagnetic fields, and ultrasound. It should be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that power transmission signals may be most anyradio signal, having any frequency or wavelength. Transmitters aredescribed within with reference to RF transmissions, only as an example,and not to limit the scope to RF transmission only.

Transmitters may be located in number of locations, surfaces, mountings,or embedded structures, such as, desks, tables, floors, walls, and thelike. In some cases, transmitters may be located in a client computingplatforms, which may be any computing device comprising processors andsoftware modules capable of executing the processes and tasks describedherein. Non-limiting examples of client computing platforms may includea desktop computer, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a tabletcomputing platform, a netbook, a smartphone, a gaming console, and/orother computing platforms. In other embodiments, the client computingplatforms may be a variety of electronic computing devices. In suchembodiments, each of the client computing platforms may have distinctoperating systems, and/or physical components. The client computingplatforms may be executing the same operating system and/or the clientcomputing platforms may be executing different operating systems. Theclient computing platforms and or devices may be capable of executingmultiple operating systems. In addition, box transmitters may containseveral arrangements of printed circuit board (PCB) layers, which may beoriented in X, Y, or Z axis, or in any combination of these.

It should be appreciated that wireless charging techniques are notlimited to RF wave transmission techniques, but may include alternativeor additional techniques for transmitting energy to a receiverconverting the transmitted energy to electrical power. Non-limitingexemplary transmission techniques for energy that can be converted by areceiving device into electrical power may include: ultrasound,microwave, resonant and inductive magnetic fields, laser light,infrared, or other forms of electromagnetic energy. In the case ofultrasound, for example, one or more transducer elements may be disposedso as to form a transducer array that transmits ultrasound waves towarda receiving device that receives the ultrasound waves and converts themto electrical power. In the case of resonant or inductive magneticfields, magnetic fields are created in a transmitter coil and convertedby a receiver coil into electrical power.

A. Components of Transmitter Devices

FIG. 11 illustrates a diagram of a system 1100 architecture forwirelessly charging client devices, according to an exemplaryembodiment. The system 1100 may comprise a transmitter 1101 and areceiver 1120 that may each comprise an application-specific integratedcircuit (ASIC). The transmitter 1101 ASIC may include one or moreprinted circuit boards (PCB) 1104, one or more antenna elements 1106,one or more radio frequency integrated circuits (RFIC) 1108, one or moremicrocontrollers (MCs) 1110, a communication component 1112, a powersource 1114. The transmitter 1101 may be encased in a housing, which mayallocate all the requested components for transmitter 1101. Componentsin transmitter 1101 may be manufactured using meta-materials,micro-printing of circuits, nano-materials, and/or any other materials.It should be obvious to someone skilled in the art that the entiretransmitter or the entire receiver can be implemented on a singlecircuit board, as well as having one or more of the functional blocksimplemented in separate circuit boards.

1. Printed Circuit Boards 1104

In some implementations, the transmitter 1101 may include a plurality ofPCB 1104 layers, which may include antenna element 1106 and/or RFIC 1108for providing greater control over pocket-forming and may increaseresponse for targeting receivers. The PCB 1104 may mechanically supportand electrically connect the electronic component described herein usingconductive tracks, pads and/or other features etched from copper sheetslaminated onto a non-conductive substrate. PCBs may be single sided (onecopper layer), double sided (two copper layers), and/or multi-layer.Multiple PCB 1104 layers may increase the range and the amount of powerthat could be transferred by transmitter 1101. PCB 1104 layers may beconnected to a single MC 1110 and/or to dedicated MCs 1110. Similarly,RFIC 1108 may be connected to antenna element 1106 as depicted in theforegoing embodiments.

In some implementations, a box transmitter, including a plurality of PCB1104 layers inside it may include antenna element 1108 for providinggreater control over pocket-forming and may increase the response fortargeting receivers. Furthermore, range of wireless power transmissionmay be increased by the box transmitter. Multiple PCB 1104 layers mayincrease the range and the amount of power waves (e.g., RF power waves,ultrasound waves) that could be transferred and/or broadcastedwirelessly by transmitter 1101 due the higher density of antenna element1106. The PCB 1104 layers may be connected to a single microcontroller1110 and/or to dedicated microcontroller 1110 for each antenna element1106. Similarly, RFIC 1108 may control antenna element 1101 as depictedin the foregoing embodiments. Furthermore, box shape of transmitter 1101may increase action ratio of wireless power transmission.

2. Antenna Elements

Antenna element 1106 may be directional and/or omni-directional andinclude flat antenna elements, patch antenna elements, dipole antennaelements, and any other suitable antenna for wireless powertransmission. Suitable antenna types may include, for example, patchantennas with heights from about ⅛ inch to about 6 inches and widthsfrom about ⅛ inch to about 6 inches. The shape and orientation ofantenna element 1106 may vary in dependency of the desired features oftransmitter 1101; orientation may be flat in X, Y, and Z axis, as wellas various orientation types and combinations in three dimensionalarrangements. Antenna element 1106 materials may include any suitablematerial that may allow RF signal transmission with high efficiency,good heat dissipation and the like. The amount of antenna elements 1106may vary in relation with the desired range and power transmissioncapability on transmitter 1101; the more antenna elements 1106, thewider range and higher power transmission capability.

Antenna element 1106 may include suitable antenna types for operating infrequency bands such as 900 MHz, 2.5 GHz or 5.8 GHz as these frequencybands conform to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulationspart 18 (industrial, scientific, and medical equipment). Antenna element1106 may operate in independent frequencies, allowing a multichanneloperation of pocket-forming.

In addition, antenna element 1106 may have at least one polarization ora selection of polarizations. Such polarization may include verticalpolarization, horizontal polarization, circularly polarized, left handpolarized, right hand polarized, or a combination of polarizations. Theselection of polarizations may vary in dependency of transmitter 1101characteristics. In addition, antenna element 1106 may be located invarious surfaces of transmitter 1101. Antenna element 1106 may operatein single array, pair array, quad array and any other suitablearrangement that may be designed in accordance with the desiredapplication.

In some implementations, the entire side of the printed circuit boardPCB 1104 may be closely packed with antenna element 1106. The RFIC 1108may connect to multiple antenna elements 1106. Multiple antenna elements1106 may surround a single RFIC 1108.

3. Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits

The RFIC 1108 may receive an RF signal from the MC 1110, and split theRF signal into multiple outputs, each output linked to an antennaelement 1106. For example, each RFIC 1108 may be connected to fourantenna elements 1106. In some implementations, each RFIC 1108 may beconnected to eight, sixteen, and/or multiple antenna elements 1106.

The RFIC 1104 may include a plurality of RF circuits that may includedigital and/or analog components, such as, amplifiers, capacitors,oscillators, piezoelectric crystals and the like. RFIC 1104 may controlfeatures of antenna element 1106, such as gain and/or phase forpocket-forming and manage it through direction, power level, and thelike. The phase and the amplitude of pocket-forming in each antennaelement 1106 may be regulated by the corresponding RFIC 1108 in order togenerate the desired pocket-forming and transmission null steering. Inaddition, RFIC 1108 may be connected to MC 1110, which may utilizedigital signal processing (DSP), ARM, PIC-Class microprocessor, centralprocessing unit, computer, and the like. The lower number of RFICs 1108present in the transmitter 1101 may correspond to desired features suchas lower control of multiple pocket-forming, lower levels ofgranularity, and a less expensive embodiment. In some implementations,RFIC 1108 may be coupled to one or more MCs 1110, and MC 1110 may beincluded into an independent base station or into the transmitter 1101.

In some implementations of transmitter 1101, the phase and the amplitudeof each pocket-forming in each antenna element 1106 may be regulated bythe corresponding RFIC 1108 in order to generate the desiredpocket-forming and transmission null steering. RFIC 1108 singled coupledto each antenna element 1106 may reduce processing requirement and mayincrease control over pocket-forming, allowing multiple pocket-formingand a higher granular pocket-forming with less load over MC 1110, and ahigher response of higher number of multiple pocket-forming may beallowed. Furthermore, multiple pocket-forming may charge a higher numberof receivers and may allow a better trajectory to such receivers.

RFIC 1108 and antenna element 1106 may operate in any suitablearrangement that may be designed in accordance with the desiredapplication. For example, transmitter 1101 may include antenna element1106 and RFIC 1108 in a flat arrangement. A subset of 4, 8, 16, and/orany number of antenna elements 1106 may be connected to a single RFIC1108. RFIC 1108 may be directly embedded behind each antenna element1106; such integration may reduce losses due the shorter distancebetween components. In some implementations, a row or column of antennaelements 1106 may be connected to a single MC 1110. RFIC 1108 connectedto each row or column may allow a less expensive transmitter 1101 thatmay produce pocket-forming by changing phase and gain between rows orcolumns. In some implementations, the RFIC 1108 may output between 2-8volts of power for the receiver 1120 to obtain.

In some implementations, a cascade arrangement of RFICs 1108 may beimplemented. A flat transmitter 1101 using a cascade arrangement ofRFICs 1108 may provide greater control over pocket-forming and mayincrease response for targeting receivers 1106, as well as a higherreliability and accuracy may be achieved because multiple redundancy ofRFICs 1108.

4. Microcontrollers

The MC 1110 may comprise a processor running ARM and/or DSP. ARM is afamily of general purpose microprocessors based on a reduced instructionset computing (RISC). A DSP is a general purpose signal processing chipmay provide a mathematical manipulation of an information signal tomodify or improve it in some way, and can be characterized by therepresentation of discrete time, discrete frequency, and/or otherdiscrete domain signals by a sequence of numbers or symbols and theprocessing of these signals. DSP may measure, filter, and/or compresscontinuous real-world analog signals. The first step may be conversionof the signal from an analog to a digital form, by sampling and thendigitizing it using an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), which mayconvert the analog signal into a stream of discrete digital values. TheMC 1110 may also run Linux and/or any other operating system. The MC1110 may also be connected to Wi-Fi in order to provide informationthrough a network 1140.

MC 1110 may control a variety of features of RFIC 1108 such as, timeemission of pocket-forming, direction of the pocket-forming, bounceangle, power intensity and the like. Furthermore, MC 1110 may controlmultiple pocket-forming over multiple receivers or over a singlereceiver. Transmitter 1101 may allow distance discrimination of wirelesspower transmission. In addition, MC 1110 may manage and controlcommunication protocols and signals by controlling communicationcomponent 1112. MC 1110 may process information received bycommunication component 1112 that may send and receive signals to andfrom a receiver in order to track it and concentrate radio frequencysignals 1142 (i.e., pockets of energy) on it. Other information may betransmitted from and to receiver 1120; such information may includeauthentication protocols among others through a network 1140.

The MC 1110 may communicate with the communication component 1112through serial peripheral interface (SPI) and/or inter-integratedcircuit (I²C) protocol. SPI communication may be used for shortdistance, single master communication, for example in embedded systems,sensors, and SD cards. Devices communicate in master/slave mode wherethe master device initiates the data frame. Multiple slave devices areallowed with individual slave select lines. I²C is a multi-master,multi-slave, single-ended, serial computer bus used for attachinglow-speed peripherals to computer motherboards and embedded systems

5. Communications Component

Communication component 1112 may include and combine Bluetoothtechnology, infrared communication, Wi-Fi, FM radio among others. MC1110 may determine optimum times and locations for pocket-forming,including the most efficient trajectory to transmit pocket forming inorder to reduce losses because obstacles. Such trajectory may includedirect pocket-forming, bouncing, and distance discrimination ofpocket-forming. In some implementations, the communication component1112 may communicate with a plurality of devices, which may includereceivers 1120, client devices, or other transmitters 1101.

6. Power Source 1101

Transmitters 1101 may be fed by a power source 1114 that may include ACor DC power supply. Voltage, power, and current intensity provided bypower source 1114 may vary in dependency with the required power to betransmitted. Conversion of power to radio signal may be managed by MC1110 and carried out by RFIC 1108 that may utilize a plurality ofmethods and components to produce radio signals in a wide variety offrequencies, wavelength, intensities, and other features. As anexemplary use of a variety of methods and components for radio signalgeneration, oscillators and piezoelectric crystals may be used to createand change radio frequencies in different antenna elements 1106. Inaddition, a variety of filters may be used for smoothing signals as wellas amplifiers for increasing power to be transmitted.

Transmitter 1101 may emit RF power waves that are pocket-forming with apower capability from few watts to a predetermined number of wattsrequired by a particular chargeable electronic device. Each antenna maymanage a certain power capacity. Such power capacity may be related withthe application

7. Housing

In addition to a housing, an independent base station may include MC1110 and power source 1114, thus, several transmitters 1101 may bemanaged by a single base station and a single MC 1110. Such capabilitymay allow the location of transmitters 1101 in a variety of strategicpositions, such as ceiling, decorations, walls, and the like. Antennaelements 1106, RFIC 1108, MC 1110, communication component 1112, andpower source 1114 may be connected in a plurality of arrangements andcombinations, which may depend on the desired characteristics oftransmitter 1101.

FIG. 23 illustrates wireless power transmission system 2300 comprising aportable transmitter 2301 with a power plug which may connect a portablewireless transmitter to one or more power outlets, according to anexemplary embodiment. Portable wireless transmitter 2301 may includeantenna elements in a flat arrangement. Portable wireless transmitter2301 may be connected to a power source through one or more power plug2370, such power plug 2370 may comply with the standard of each countryand/or region. Power plug 2370 may be intended to connect portablewireless transmitter 2301 to one or more power outlet on the walls,floors, ceilings and/or electric adapters.

In order to increase portability of portable wireless transmitter 2301,power plug 2370 may be foldable, telescopic, ultra-compact and the like.Such features may reduce size for transportation and for pocketing.Portable wireless transmitter 2301 may be built into a housing 2306,which may provide additional protection against water, high temperature,sand, bugs, shocks, vibration and other rough conditions which may be athreat to the integrity of portable wireless transmitter 2301. Thus,housing 2306 may be made using a plurality of materials which mayprovide the forgoing characteristics.

FIG. 24 illustrates a wireless power transmission system 2400 comprisinga transmitter 2401 where a plurality of power plugs connect a portablewireless transmitter to a variety of power sources and/or electricadapters, according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 24 depicts aportable wireless transmitter 2401 showing different power plugs, suchpower plug may include a USB adapter 2470 b, and a cigarette lighterplug 2470 c. USB adapter 2470 b may be used for receive power from anydevice having a USB port. These devices may include, laptops, Smart TVs,tablets and the like. Cigarette lighter plug 2470 c may be used forreceive power from any cigarette lighter socket, such as the used incars. In addition, portable wireless transmitter 2401 may include avariety of power plugs 2470 a, such power plugs 2470 a may vary independency with the final application.

FIG. 25 illustrates a wireless power transmission system 2500 where atransmitter 2501 may include a button 2572 which upon activation maycreate at least one pocket of energy 2504 in its top surface. Asmartphone 2552 operatively coupled to a receiver (not shown), uponbeing placed atop such surface, may receive power wirelessly byutilizing the aforementioned pocket of energy 2504. This configurationfor wireless power transmission 2500 can be beneficial wheneversmartphone 2552 cannot communicate its location by to transmitter 2501,for example whenever smartphone 2552 runs out of power completely.Communication may refer to the information represented as data sent fromone computer to one or more computers or processors of the wirelesspower transmission system. The data takes the form of a series of bytes,where each byte is 8 binary bits, and each binary bit is the numericalvalue of either ‘0’ or ‘1.’ A bit is communicated from one computer toanother electrically or electronically by representing the ‘0’ and the‘1’ as discreet or different electrical voltage or current or phase orfrequency values. A bit is communicated from one computer to anotherwirelessly by representing the ‘0’ and the ‘1’ as radio frequency (RF)energy. In addition, smartphone 2552 may charge faster because of itsproximity to transmitter 2501. An even further advantage of thisconfiguration is that if the user decides to remove smartphone 2552(after smartphone 2552 has built the minimum charge for establishingcommunication with transmitter 2501) from the surface of transmitter2501, smartphone 2552 may still receive power wirelessly throughpocket-forming. Thus, the mobility of smartphone 2552 may not becompromised.

B. Exemplary Method of Transmitting Power

FIG. 12 is a method for determining receiver location 1200 using antennaelement. Method for determining receiver location 1200 may be a set ofprogrammed rules or logic managed by MC. The process may begin step 1201by capturing first signal with a first subset of antennas from theantenna array. The process may follow immediately by switching to adifferent subset of antenna element and capturing, at a next step 1203,a second signal with a second subset of antennas. For example, a firstsignal may be captured with a row of antennas and the second capturingmay be done with a column of antennas. A row of antennas may provide ahorizontal degree orientation such an azimuth in a spherical coordinatesystem. A column of antennas may provide a vertical degree orientationsuch as elevation. Antenna elements used for capturing first signal andcapturing second signal may be aligned in straight, vertical,horizontal, or diagonal orientation. The first subset and second subsetof antennas may be aligned in a cross like structure in order to coverdegrees around transmitter.

Once both vertical and horizontal values have been measured, the MC may,in a next step 1205, determine the appropriate values of phase and gainfor the vertical and horizontal antenna elements used to capture thesignal. Appropriate values for phase and gain may be determined by therelationship of the position of the receiver to the antenna. The valuesmay be used by MC in order to adjust antenna elements to form pockets ofenergy that may be used by a receiver in order to charge an electronicdevice.

Data pertaining to initial values of all antenna elements in transmittermay be calculated and stored previously for use by MC in order to assistin the calculation of appropriate values for antenna elements. In a nextstep, 1207, after the appropriate values for the vertical and horizontalantennas used for capturing the signal have been determined, the processmay continue by using the stored data to determine appropriate valuesfor all the antennas in the array. Stored data may contain initial testvalues of phase and gain for all antenna elements in the array atdifferent frequencies. Different sets of data may be stored fordifferent frequencies and MC may select the appropriate data setaccordingly. In a next step 1209, MC may then adjust all antennasthrough RFIC in order to form pockets of energy at the appropriatelocations.

C. Array Subset Configuration

FIG. 13A illustrates an example embodiment of an array subsetconfiguration 1300A that may be used in method for determining receiverlocation. Transmitter may include an array of antennas 1306A. A row ofantennas 1368A may be used first for capturing a signal sent by areceiver. Row of antennas 1368A may then transfer the signal to theRFIC, where the signal may be converted from a radio signal to a digitalsignal and passed on to MC for processing. MC may then determineappropriate adjustments for phase and gain in row of antennas 1368A inorder to form pockets of energy at the appropriate locations based onthe receiver locations. A second signal may be captured by a column ofantennas 1370A. Column of antennas 1370A may then transfer the signal tothe RFIC, where the signal may be converted from a radio signal to adigital signal and passed on to MC for processing. MC may then determineappropriate adjustments for phase and gain in column of antennas 1370Ain order to form pockets of energy at the appropriate locations based onthe receiver locations. Once the appropriate adjustments have beendetermined for row of antennas 1368A and column of antennas 1370A MC maydetermine the appropriate values for the rest of antenna elements 1306Ain array of antennas 1368A by using previously stored data about theantennas and adjusting accordingly with the results from row of antennas1368A and column of antennas 1370A.

D. Configurations for Transmitters, Transmitter Components, AntennaTiles, and Systems Related to Transmitters

1. Exemplary System

FIG. 13B illustrates another example embodiment of an array subsetconfiguration 1300B. In array subset configuration 1300B, both initialsignals are captured by two diagonal subsets of antennas. The processfollows the same path, such that each subset is adjusted accordingly.Based on adjustments made and the previously stored data, the rest ofantenna elements 1306B in array of antennas are adjusted.

2. Flat Transmitter

FIG. 14 depicts a flat transmitter 1402 in a front view and a severalembodiments of rear views. Transmitter 1402 may include antenna element1406 and RFIC 1408 in a flat arrangement. RFIC 1408 may be directlyembedded behind each antenna element 1406; such integration may reducelosses due the shorter distance between components.

In one embodiment (i.e., View 1) in transmitter 1402, the phase and theamplitude of the pocket-forming for each antenna element 1406 may beregulated by the corresponding RFIC 1408 in order to generate thedesired pocket-forming and transmission null steering. RFIC 1408 singledcoupled to each antenna element 1406 may reduce processing requirementand may increase control over pocket-forming, allowing multiplepocket-forming and a higher granular pocket-forming with less load overMC 1410; thus, a higher response of higher number of multiplepocket-forming may be allowed. Furthermore, multiple pocket-forming maycharge a higher number of receivers and may allow a better trajectory tosuch receivers. As described in the embodiment of FIG. 11, RFIC 1408 maybe coupled to one or more MCs 1410, and microcontroller 1410 may beincluded into an independent base station or into the transmitter 1402.

In another embodiment (i.e., View 2), a subset of 4 antenna elements1406 may be connected to a single RFIC 1408. The lower number of RFICs1408 present in the transmitter 142 may correspond to desired featuressuch as: lower control of multiple pocket-forming, lower levels ofgranularity and a less expensive embodiment. As described in theembodiment of FIG. 11, RFIC 1408 may be coupled to one or more MCs 1410,and microcontroller 1410 may be included into an independent basestation or into the transmitter 1402.

In yet another embodiment (i.e., View 3), transmitter 1402 may includeantenna element 1406 and RFIC 1408 in a flat arrangement. A row orcolumn of antenna elements 1406 may be connected to a single MC 1410.The lower number of RFICs 1408 present in the transmitter 1402 maycorrespond to desired features such as: lower control of multiplepocket-forming, lower levels of granularity and a less expensiveembodiment. RFIC 1408 connected to each row or column may allow a lessexpensive transmitter 1402, which may produce pocket-forming by changingphase and gain between rows or columns. As described in the embodimentof FIG. 11, RFIC 1408 may be coupled to one or more MCs 1410, andmicrocontroller 1410 may be included into an independent base station orinto the transmitter 1402.

In some embodiments (i.e., View 4), transmitter 1402 may include antennaelement 1406 and RFIC 1408 in a flat arrangement. A cascade arrangementis depicted in this exemplary embodiment. Two antenna elements 1406 maybe connected to a single RFIC 1408 and this in turn to a single RFIC1408, which may be connected to a final RFIC 1408 and this in turn toone or more MCs 1410. Flat transmitter 1402 using a cascade arrangementof RFICs 1408 may provide greater control over pocket-forming and mayincrease response for targeting receivers. Furthermore, a higherreliability and accuracy may be achieved because multiple redundancy ofRFICs 1408. As described in the embodiment of FIG. 11, RFIC 1408 may becoupled to one or more MCs 1410, and microcontroller 1410 may beincluded into an independent base station or into the transmitter 1402.

3. Multiple Printed Circuit Board Layers

FIG. 15A depicts a transmitter 1502A, which may include a plurality ofPCB layers 1204A that may include antenna element 1506A for providinggreater control over pocket-forming and may increase response fortargeting receivers. Multiple PCB layers 1504A may increase the rangeand the amount of power that could be transferred by transmitter 1502A.PCB layers 1504A may be connected to a single MC or to dedicated MC.Similarly, RFIC may be connected antenna element 1506A as depicted inthe foregoing embodiments. RFIC may be coupled to one or more MCs.Furthermore, MCs may be included into an independent base station orinto the transmitter 1502A.

4. Box Transmitter

FIG. 15B depicts a box transmitter 1502B, which may include a pluralityof PCB layers 1504B inside it, which may include antenna element 1506Bfor providing greater control over pocket-forming and may increaseresponse for targeting receivers. Furthermore, range of wireless powertransmission may be increased by the box transmitter 1502B. Multiple PCBlayers 1504B may increase the range and the amount of RF power wavesthat could be transferred or broadcasted wirelessly by transmitter 1502Bdue the higher density of antenna element 1506B. PCB layers 1504B may beconnected to a single MC or to dedicated MC for each antenna element1506B. Similarly, RFIC may control antenna element 1506B as depicted inthe foregoing embodiments. Furthermore, box shape of transmitter 800 mayincrease action ratio of wireless power transmission; thus, boxtransmitter 1502B may be located on a plurality of surfaces such as,desks, tables, floors, and the like. In addition, box transmitter 1502Bmay comprise several arrangements of PCB layers 1504B, which may beoriented in X, Y, and Z axis, or any combination these. The RFIC may, becoupled to one or more MCs. Furthermore, MCs may be included into anindependent base station or into the transmitter 1502B.

5. Irregular Arrays for Various Types of Products

FIG. 16 depicts a diagram of architecture 1600 for incorporatingtransmitter 1602 into different devices. For example, the flattransmitter 1602 may be applied to the frame of a television 1646 oracross the frame of a sound bar 1648. Transmitter 1602 may includemultiple tiles 1650 with antenna elements and RFICs in a flatarrangement. The RFIC may be directly embedded behind each antennaelements; such integration may reduce losses due the shorter distancebetween components.

For example, a television 1646 may have a bezel around a television1646, comprising multiple tiles 1650, each tile comprising of a certainnumber of antenna elements. For example, if there are 20 tiles 1650around the bezel of the television 1646, each tile 1650 may have 24antenna elements and/or any number of antenna elements.

In tile 1650, the phase and the amplitude of each pocket-forming in eachantenna element may be regulated by the corresponding RFIC in order togenerate the desired pocket-forming and transmission null steering. RFICsingled coupled to each antenna element may reduce processingrequirement and may increase control over pocket-forming, allowingmultiple pocket-forming and a higher granular pocket-forming with lessload over microcontroller, thus, a higher response of higher number ofmultiple pocket-forming may be allowed. Furthermore, multiplepocket-forming may charge a higher number of receivers and may allow abetter trajectory to such receivers.

RFIC may be coupled to one or more microcontrollers, and themicrocontrollers may be included into an independent base station orinto the tiles 1650 in the transmitter 1602. A row or column of antennaelements may be connected to a single microcontroller. In someimplementations, the lower number of RFICs present in the transmitters1602 may correspond to desired features such as: lower control ofmultiple pocket-forming, lower levels of granularity and a lessexpensive embodiment. RFICs connected to each row or column may allowreduce costs by having fewer components because fewer RFICs are requiredto control each of the transmitters 1602. The RFICs may producepocket-forming power transmission waves by changing phase and gain,between rows or columns.

In some implementations, the transmitter 1602 may use a cascadearrangement of tiles 1650 comprising RFICs that may provide greatercontrol over pocket-forming and may increase response for targetingreceivers. Furthermore, a higher reliability and accuracy may beachieved from multiple redundancies of RFICs.

In one embodiment, a plurality of PCB layers, including antennaelements, may provide greater control over pocket-forming and mayincrease response for targeting receivers. Multiple PCB layers mayincrease the range and the amount of power that could be transferred bytransmitter 1602. PCB layers may be connected to a singlemicrocontroller or to dedicated microcontrollers. Similarly, RFIC may beconnected to antenna elements.

A box transmitter 1602 may include a plurality of PCB layers inside it,which may include antenna elements for providing greater control overpocket-forming and may increase response for targeting receivers.Furthermore, range of wireless power transmission may be increased bythe box transmitter 1602. Multiple PCB layers may increase the range andthe amount of RF power waves that could be transferred or broadcastedwirelessly by transmitter 1602 due the higher density of antennaelements. PCB layers may be connected to a single microcontroller or todedicated microcontrollers for each antenna element. Similarly, RFIC maycontrol antenna elements. The box shape of transmitter 1602 may increaseaction ratio of wireless power transmission. Thus, box transmitter 1602may be located on a plurality of surfaces such as, desks, tables,floors, and the like. In addition, box transmitter may comprise severalarrangements of PCB layers, which may be oriented in X, Y, and Z axis,or any combination these.

6. Plurality of Antenna Elements

FIG. 17 is an example of a transmitter configuration 1700 that includesa plurality of antenna elements 1706. Antenna element 1706 may form anarray by arranging rows of antennas 1768 and columns of antennas 1770.Transmitter configuration may include at least one RFIC 1708 to controlfeatures of antenna element 1706, such as gain and/or phase forpocket-forming and manage it through direction, power level, and thelike. The array of antenna elements 1706 may be connected to a MC 1710,which may determine optimum times and locations for pocket-forming,including the most efficient trajectory to transmit pocket forming inorder to reduce losses because of obstacles. Such trajectory may includedirect pocket-forming, bouncing, and distance discrimination ofpocket-forming.

A transmitter device may utilize antenna element 1706 to determine thelocation of a receiver in order to determine how to adjust antennaelement 1706 to form pockets of energy in the appropriate location. Areceiver may send a train signal to transmitter in order to provideinformation. The train signal may be any conventional know signals thatmay be detected by antenna element 1706. The signal sent by receiver maycontain information such as phase and gain.

7. Enhanced Wireless Power Transmitter Configurations

FIG. 26 illustrates a block diagram of an enhanced wireless powertransmitter 2601 which may be used for wireless power transmission,according to an embodiment. Transmitter 2601 may include a housing 2674,at least two or more antenna elements 2606, at least one receiving (Rx)RF integrated circuit (RFIC) 2626, a plurality of transmitting (Tx) RFintegrated circuit (RFIC) 2608, at least one digital signal processor(DSP) and/or micro-controller 2610, and/or one communications component2612. Micro-controller 2610 may be included into an independent basestation or into the transmitter 2601. RF input signals 2642 may beproduced using a power source 2614 and a local oscillator chip (notshown) using a piezoelectric material, or may be from other wirelesssources (not shown), such as from a frequency chip, Bluetooth, andWi-Fi.

Housing 2674 may be made of any material which may allow for signal orwave transmission and/or reception, for example plastic or hard rubber.Antenna elements 2606 may include antenna types for operating infrequency bands such as 900 MHz, 2.5 GHz or 5.8 GHz as these frequencybands conform to Federal Communications Commission (FCC) 47 CFR Part18—Industrial, Scientific, and Medical Equipment. Antenna elements 2606may include vertical or horizontal polarization, right hand or left handpolarization, elliptical polarization, and/or other polarizations aswell as polarization combinations. Antennas may be omnidirectionaland/or directional antennas. Omnidirectional antennas are a class ofantenna which radiates radio wave power uniformly in all directions inone plane. Directional antennas may be antennas or an array of antennasat a wireless power transmitter that can have their direction or phaseadjusted to control where the wireless pockets of energy will beavailable in 3-D physical space within power range of the transmitter.Antenna types may include, for example, patch antennas with heights fromabout ⅛ of an inch to about 8 inches and widths from about ⅛ of an inchto about 6 inches. Other antenna elements 2606 types that may be usedinclude meta-materials based antennas, dipole antennas, and planarinverted-F antennas (PIFAs), amongst others.

Transmitter 2601 may include a plurality of arrangements in whichantenna elements 2606 may be connected to dedicated Rx RFIC 2626 or toTx RFICs 2608. Arrangements may include different configurations, suchas a dedicated row or column of antenna elements 2606 coupled to Rx RFIC2626, and at least two or more rows or columns of antenna elements 2606coupled to Tx RFICs 2608. Rx RFIC 2626 may include a proprietary chipfor adjusting phases and/or relative magnitudes of frequency of RF inputsignals 2642 collected from the dedicated set/configuration antennaelements 2606 for reception of RF input signals 2642. Rx RFIC may bedesigned to include hardware and logic elements specifically dedicatedfor reception and processing of RF input signals 2642, which are notincluded as components of TX RFICs 2608.

In present embodiment of the enhanced wireless transmitter 24 RFICs maybe connected to 2674 antenna elements 2606 and configured to allowoperation of Rx RFIC as the dedicated receiver of RF input signals 2642operatively coupled to a dedicated column of at least two or moreantenna elements 2606, depending on the transmitter 2601 configurationand operation, for example, eight antenna elements 2606. The remaining23 Tx RFICs 2608 may be operatively coupled to a set/configuration ofantenna elements 2606, other than those used to receive RF input signals2642 by Rx RFIC. Tx RFICs may be coupled to transmitting antennaelements 2606 depending on control signals from micro-controller 2610.

Micro-controller 2610 may include a proprietary algorithm to implementcontrol of Rx RFIC 2626 and to allow operation of Rx RFIC 2626 using aswitching control which enables monitoring of reception separately fromtransmission without overlapping in the operation of Rx RFIC 2626 and TxRFICs 2608. RF input signals 2642 may be sampled at once after Rx RFIC2626 may be allowed to receive by switching control in micro-controller2610.

After the operation of Rx RFIC 2626, Tx RFICs 2608 may implementwireless power transmission to receiver. Micro-controller 2601 mayselect a column of antenna elements 2606, a row of antenna elements2606, or any interpolation of arrangement of antenna elements 2606 tocouple with Tx RFICs 2608, depending on location from which wirelesspower is to be transmitted.

Micro-controller 2610 may also process information sent by receiverthrough communications component 2612 for determining optimum times andlocations for pocket-forming. Communications component 2612 may be basedon standard wireless communication protocols which may includeBluetooth, Wi-Fi or ZigBee. In addition, communications component 2612may be used to transfer other information, such as an identifier for thedevice or user, battery level, location, or other such information.Other communications component 2612 may be possible, including radar,infrared cameras or sound devices for sonic triangulation of electronicdevice position.

FIG. 27 represents a transmitter arrangement 2701 of antenna elements2706 which may be coupled to dedicated Rx RFICs 2726, according to anembodiment. Depending on the location from which RF input signals may bereceived and information sent by receiver to be processed bycommunications component regarding determination of optimum times andlocations for pocket-forming, which may enhance efficiency of wirelesspower transmission, micro-controller 2710 may select Tx RFICs and thearrangement of antenna elements 2706 to maximize the transmissionoperation of transmitter. Micro-controller 2710 may send switchingcontrol signals to Rx RFIC 2726 coupled to either antenna column 2706 bor antenna row 2706 a to include the antenna elements 2706 receiving RFinput signals. After reception and processing of signals by Rx RFIC2726, the remaining antenna elements 2706 may be coupled to Tx RFICsusing a plurality of configurations of antenna elements 2706 as a resultof an interpolation step which may be performed by micro-controller 2710to control operation of Tx RFICs using the ARM micro-processor inmicro-controller 2710 to enhance wireless power transmission performanceof transmitter, directing transmission of wireless power to theappropriate location.

Antenna elements 2706 to connected to Rx RFIC 2726 may reduce processingrequirement and may increase control over pocket-forming, allowingmultiple pocket-forming and a higher granular pocket-forming with lessload over micro-controller 2710, thus, a higher response of highernumber of multiple pocket-forming may be allowed for transmission.Furthermore, multiple pocket-forming may charge a higher number ofreceivers and may allow a better trajectory to such receivers to providea less expensive embodiment.

FIG. 28 illustrates a block diagram 2800 of Rx RFIC 2808 in an enhancedwireless power transmitter, according to an embodiment. RF input signalsreceived by antenna elements 2806 dedicated for reception andoperatively coupled to Rx RFIC 2808, depending on the location fromwhich they may be radiated to transmitter, enable micro-controller 2810.RF input signal may then be subject to frequency sampling by an array ofdown-converters included in Rx RFIC 2808 in which the range offrequencies of RF input signals of about 2.4 GHz or about 5.6 GHz may beshifted into RF signals of a new frequency range.

Down-converters 2876 may include a local oscillator (not shown)providing a signal of pre-determined frequency to mix with the RF inputsignals creating a sum heterodyne and a difference heterodyne from whichone of the heterodyne may be filtered to provide the desired outputfrequency. In present embodiment a signal of about 5.8 GHz may bedown-converted to an output signal of about 5.0 GHz. Output signal of5.0 GHz from down-converters 2876 may then be fed to addressing lines(A20) 2878 at 10 MHz for processing by micro-controller 2810. Enhancedwireless power transmitter may be receiving at one frequency, forexample 2.4 GHz, and transmitting at a higher frequency, for example 5.7GHz.

Micro-controller 2810 may be enabled to send control signals of about 1msec or about 100 μsec to Rx RFIC 2808 and depending on how fast the RFinput signals may being received, control may be enabled every msec orabout 10 times/sec for 1 msec. If RF input signals may be constantlyreceived, for example every 10 μsec, updating may be implemented toabout 1,000 times/sec.

In micro-controller 2810, the proprietary algorithm may enable samplingof the incoming signals from each A20 2878 and may use an ARMmicro-processor (not shown) to drive the required Tx RFICs coupled tothe determined set/configuration of antenna elements 2806 to transmitwireless power to the appropriate location of receiver. The use of anARM micro-processor may reduce cost, heat and power use, as it may bedesirable for electronic devices to be powered or charged using wirelesspower transmission. The instruction set architecture of the ARMmicro-processor may allow higher processing power and energy efficiencyfor micro-controller 2810.

8. Multiple Transmitters Configuration

FIG. 29 depicts a block diagram of a wireless power system 2900, whichmay include a plurality of wireless power transmitter 2901 connected toa single base station 2980. transmitters 2901 may include one or moreantenna elements 2906, one or more radio frequency integrated circuit(RFIC) 2908, a communication component 2912 and a housing 2974, whichmay allocate all the components previously mentioned. Base station 2980may include one or more microcontroller 2910, a power source 2914 and ahousing 2974 which may allocate all the components previously mentioned.Components in wireless power system 2900 and base station—may bemanufactured using meta-materials, micro-printing of circuits,nano-materials, and the like.

Base station 2980 may be located in variety of locations wheretransmitters 2910 may stay connected to it. Such connection may includea variety of connections, which may include coaxial cable, phone cable,LAN cable, wireless connection among others. The connection between basestation 2980 and transmitters 2910 aims to establish a link between RFIC2908 and microcontroller 2910, as well as the power source 2914connection.

Microcontroller 2910 may control a variety of features of RFIC 2908 suchas, time emission of pocket-forming, direction of the pocket-forming,bounce angle, power intensity and the like. Furthermore, microcontroller2910 may control multiple pocket-forming over multiple receivers or overa single receiver. In addition, microcontroller 2910 may manage andcontrol communication protocols and signals by controlling communicationcomponent 2912. Protocol may refer to a method and of translatingbetween low level information data, such as binary bits or bytes, andhigher level information data, such as numerical digits, alphanumericcharacters, letters, punctuation, numerals, or characters in ASCIItable. A protocol may also have an expected format or pattern ofinformation data across time. Thus microcontroller 2910 may drive theforegoing features in several transmitters 2901 at the same time.

Base station 2980 may be fed by a power source 2914 which in turn mayfeed to transmitters 2901. Power source 2914 may include AC or DC powersupply. Voltage, power and current intensity provided by power source2914 may vary in dependency with the required power to be transmitted.Conversion of power to radio signal may be managed by microcontroller2910 and carried out by RFIC 2908, which may utilize a plurality ofmethods and components to produce radio signals in a wide variety offrequencies, wavelength, intensities and other features.

As an exemplary use of a variety of methods and components for radiosignal generation, oscillators and piezoelectric crystals may be used tocreate and change radio frequencies in different antenna elements 2906.In addition, a variety of filters may be used for smoothing signals aswell as amplifiers for increasing power to be transmitted. In someimplementations, the wireless charging techniques of the presentinvention are not, however, limited to RF transmission techniques andinclude additional techniques for transmitting energy to a receivingdevice, wherein the receiving device converts the transmitted energy toelectrical power. Exemplary forms of energy that can be converted by areceiving device into electrical power include ultrasound, microwave,resonant and inductive magnetic fields, laser light or other forms ofelectromagnetic energy. In the case of ultrasound, for example, one ormore transducer elements may be disposed so as to form a transducerarray that transmits ultrasound waves toward a receiving device thatreceives the ultrasound waves and converts them to electrical power. Inthe case of resonant or inductive magnetic fields, magnetic fields arecreated in a transmitter coil and converted by a receiver coil intoelectrical power. Furthermore, RFIC 2908, microcontroller 2910,communication component 2914 and the rest of electronic components maybe built in solid state circuits for increasing reliability in wirelesspower system 2900. Others techniques for increasing reliability ofelectronic components may be used.

FIG. 30 depicts a wireless power system 3000, which may include twotransmitters 3001, a base station 3080 and connections 3082. Basestation 3080 may enable operation of different transmitters 3001 indifferent rooms or area coverage. Each transmitter 3001 may operate atdifferent frequencies, power intensities and different ranges. Inaddition, each transmitter 3001 may provide power to a plurality ofreceivers. Furthermore, base station 3080 may enable a single operationof all transmitter 3001, thus may provide a higher capability forwireless charging by the use of each transmitter 3001 as a single one.

FIG. 31 depicts a wireless power system 3100, which may include twotransmitters 3101, a base station 3180 and connections 3182. Basestation 3180 may enable operation of different transmitters 3101 indifferent rooms or area coverage. Each transmitter 3101 may operate atdifferent frequencies, power intensities and different ranges. Inaddition, each transmitter 3101 may provide power to a plurality ofreceivers. Furthermore, base station 3180 may enable a single operationof all transmitter 3101, thus may provide a higher capability forwireless charging by the use of each transmitter 3101 as single one. Inaddition, transmitters 3101 may be plugged into light sockets 3184. Suchlight sockets 3184 may increase the places where transmitters 3101 maybe installed.

III. Receivers—Systems and Methods for Receiving and Utilizing WirelessPower Transmissions

A. Components of Receiver Devices

Returning to FIG. 11, which illustrates a diagram of a system 1100architecture for wirelessly charging client devices, according to anexemplary embodiment, the system 1100 may comprise transmitter 1101 andreceivers 1120 that may each comprise an application-specific integratedcircuit (ASIC). The ASIC of the receivers 1120 may include a printedcircuit board 1122, an antenna element 1124, a rectifier 1126, a powerconverter 1129, a communications component 1130, and/or a powermanagement integrated circuit (PMIC) 1132. Receivers 1120 may alsocomprise a housing that may allocate all the requested components. Thevarious components of receivers 1120 may comprise, or may bemanufactured using, meta-materials, micro-printing of circuits,nano-materials, and the like.

1. Antenna Elements

Antenna elements 1124 may include suitable antenna types for operatingin frequency bands similar to the bands described for antenna elements1106 of a transmitter 1101. Antenna element 1124 may include vertical orhorizontal polarization, right hand or left hand polarization,elliptical polarization, or other suitable polarizations as well assuitable polarization combinations. Using multiple polarizations can bebeneficial in devices where there may not be a preferred orientationduring usage or whose orientation may vary continuously through time,for example a smartphone or portable gaming system. On the contrary, fordevices with well-defined orientations, for example a two-handed videogame controller, there might be a preferred polarization for antennas,which may dictate a ratio for the number of antennas of a givenpolarization. Suitable antenna types may include patch antennas withheights from about 118 inch to about 6 inches and widths from about ⅛inch to about 6 inches. Patch antennas may have the advantage thatpolarization may depend on connectivity, i.e., depending on which sidethe patch is fed, the polarization may change. This may further proveadvantageous as a receiver, such as receiver 1120, may dynamicallymodify its antenna polarization to optimize wireless power transmission.Different antenna, rectifier, or power converter arrangements arepossible for a receiver, as is described in the embodiments herein.

2. Rectifiers

A rectifier 1126 may convert alternating current (AC), whichperiodically reverses direction, to direct current (DC), which takesnon-negative values. Because of the alternating nature of the input ACsine wave, the process of rectification alone produces a DC currentthat, though non-negative, consists of pulses of current. The output ofthe rectifier may be smoothed by an electronic filter to produce asteady current. The rectifier 1126 may include diodes and/or resistors,inductors and/or capacitors to rectify the alternating current (AC)voltage generated by antenna element 1124 to direct current (DC)voltage.

In some implementations, the rectifier 1126 may be a full-waverectifier. A full-wave rectifier may convert the whole of the inputwaveform to one of constant polarity (positive or negative) at itsoutput. Full-wave rectification may convert both polarities of the inputwaveform to pulsating DC (direct current), and yield a higher averageoutput voltage. Two diodes and a center tapped transformer and/or fourdiodes in a bridge configuration and any AC source (including atransformer without center tap) may be utilized for a full-waverectifier. For single-phase AC, if the transformer is center-tapped,then two diodes back-to-back (cathode-to-cathode or anode-to-anode,depending upon output polarity required) may be utilized to form afull-wave rectifier. Twice as many turns may be required on thetransformer secondary to obtain the same output voltage than for abridge rectifier, but the power rating is unchanged. Rectifier 1126 maybe placed as close as is technically possible to antenna element 1124 tominimize losses. After rectifying AC voltage, DC voltage may beregulated using power converter 1129.

3. Power Converters

Power converter 1129 can be a DC-to-DC converter that may help provide aconstant voltage output and/or to help boost the voltage to the receiver1120. In some implementations, the DC-to-DC converter may be a maximumpower point tracker (MPPT). A MPPT is an electronic DC-to-DC converterthat converts a higher voltage DC output down to the lower voltageneeded to charge batteries. Typical voltage outputs can be from about 5volts to about 10 volts. In some embodiments, power converter 1129 mayinclude electronic switched mode DC-to-DC converters, which can providehigh efficiency. In such a case, a capacitor may be included beforepower converter 1129 to ensure sufficient current is provided for theswitching device to operate. When charging an electronic device, forexample a phone or laptop computer, initial high-currents that canexceed the level needed to activate operation of an electronic switchedmode DC-to-DC converter, may be required. In such a case, a capacitormay be added at the output of receiver 1120 to provide the extra energyrequired. Afterwards, lower power can be provided, as required toprovide the appropriate amount electric current; for example, 1/80 ofthe total initial power used while having the phone or laptop stillbuilding-up charge.

In one embodiment, multiple rectifiers 1126 can be connected in parallelto antenna element 1124. For example, four rectifiers 1126 may beconnected in parallel to antenna element 1124. However, several morerectifiers 1126 can be used. This arrangement may be advantageousbecause each rectifier 1126 may only need to handle ¼ of the totalpower. If one watt is to be delivered to an electronic device, then eachrectifier 1126 may only need to handle a quarter of a watt. Thearrangement may greatly diminish cost because using a plurality oflow-power rectifiers 1126 can be cheaper than utilizing one high-powerrectifier 1126 while handling the same amount of power. In someembodiments, the total power handled by rectifier 1126 can be combinedinto a power converter 1129. In other embodiments, there may a powerconverter 1129 per each rectifier 1126.

In other embodiments, multiple antenna elements 1124 may be connected inparallel to a rectifier 1126, after which DC voltage may be regulatedthrough a power converter 1129. In this example, four antenna elements1124 may be connected in parallel to a single rectifier 1126. Thisarrangement may be advantageous because each antenna element 1124 mayonly handle ¼ of the total power. In addition, the arrangement mayenable usage of antenna element 1124 of different polarizations with asingle rectifier 1126 because signals may not cancel each other. Becauseof the foregoing property, the arrangement may be suitable forelectronic client devices with an orientation that is not well-definedor otherwise varies over time. Lastly, the arrangement may be beneficialwhen using antenna element 1124 of equal polarization and configured forphases that do not differ greatly. In some embodiments, however, therecan be a rectifier 1126 per antenna element 1124 and/or multiplerectifiers 1126 per antenna element 1124.

In an exemplary implementation, an arrangement where multiple antennaelements 1124 outputs can be combined and connected to parallelrectifiers 1126 whose output may further be combined in one powerconverter 1129 may be implemented. There may be 16 antenna elements 1124whose output may be combined at four parallel rectifiers 1126. In otherembodiments, antenna elements 1124 may be subdivided in groups (of fourfor example) and may connect to independent rectifiers 1126.

In yet another embodiment, an arrangement where groups of antennaelements 1124 may be connected to different rectifiers 1126 which may inturn also be connected to different power converters 1129 may beimplemented. In this embodiment, four groups of antenna elements 1124(each containing four antenna elements 1124 in parallel) may eachconnect independently to four rectifiers 1126. In this embodiment, theoutput of each rectifier 1126 may connect directly to a power converter1129 (four in total). In other embodiments, the output of all fourrectifiers 1126 can be combined before each power converter 1129 tohandle the total power in parallel. In some embodiments, the combinedoutputs of each rectifier 1126 may connect to a single power converter1129. This arrangement may be beneficial in that it allows greatproximity between rectifier 1126 and antenna element 1124. This propertymay be desirable as it may keep losses at a minimum.

4. Communications Component

A communications component 1130, similar to that of transmitter 1101,may be included in receiver 1120 to communicate with a transmitter or toother electronic equipment. In some implementations, receiver 1120 canuse a built-in communications component of the device (for example,Bluetooth) for communicating to a given transmitter 1120 based onrequirements provided by processor such as battery level, userpredefined charging profile or others transmitters 1101 may include oneor more printed circuit boards (PCB) 1104, one or more antenna elements1106, one or more radio frequency integrated circuits (RFIC) 1108, oneor more microcontrollers (MCs) 1110, a communication component 1112, anda power source 1114. The transmitter 1101 may be encased in a housing,which may allocate all the requested components for transmitter 1101.Components in transmitter 1101 may be manufactured using meta-materials,micro-printing of circuits, nano-materials, and/or any other materials.The types of information communicated by the communications componentsbetween the receiver and the transmitter include but not limited to thepresent power levels in the batteries, signal strength and power levelbeing received at the receiver, timing information, phase and gaininformation, user identification, client device privileges, securityrelated signaling, emergency signaling, and authentication exchanges,among other things.

5. PMICs

A power management integrated circuit (PMIC) 1132 is an integratedcircuit and/or a system block in a system-on-a-chip device for managingpower requirements of the host system. The PMIC 1132 may include batterymanagement, voltage regulation, and charging functions. It may include aDC-to-DC converter to allow dynamic voltage scaling. In someimplementations, the PMIC 1132 may provide up to a 95% power conversionefficiency. In some implementations, the PMIC 1132 may integrate withdynamic frequency scaling in a combination. The PMIC 1132 may beimplemented in a battery-operated device such as mobile phones and/orportable media players. In some implementations, the battery may bereplaced with an input capacitor and an output capacitor. The PMIC 1132may be directly connected to the battery and/or capacitors. When thebattery is being charged directly, a capacitor may not be implemented.In some implementations, the PMIC 1132 may be coiled around the battery.The PMIC 1132 may comprise a power management chip (PMC) that acts as abattery charger, and is connected to the battery. The PMIC 1132 can usepulse-frequency modulation (PFM) and pulse-width modulation (PWM). Itcan use switching amplifier (Class-D electronic amplifier). In someimplementations, an output converter, a rectifier, and/or a BLE may alsobe included in the PMIC 1132.

6. Housing

Housing can be made of any suitable material that may allow for signalor wave transmission and/or reception, for example plastic or hardrubber. Housing may be an external hardware that may be added todifferent electronic equipment, for example in the form of cases, or canbe embedded within electronic equipment as well.

7. Network

The network 1140 may comprise any common communication architecture thatfacilitates communication between transmitter 1101 and the receiver1120. One having ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that thenetwork 1140 may be the Internet, a private intranet, or some hybrid ofthe two. It should also be obvious to one skilled in the art that thenetwork components may be implemented in dedicated processing equipment,or alternatively in a cloud processing network.

A. Configurations for Receivers, Receiver Components, and SystemsRelated to Receivers

1. Multiple Rectifiers Connected in Parallel to an Antenna Element

FIG. 18A illustrates an arrangement 1800A where multiple rectifiers1826A can be connected in parallel to an antenna element 1824A. In thisexample, four rectifiers 1826A may be connected in parallel to anantenna elements 1824A. However, several more rectifiers 1826A may beused. Arrangement 1800A may be advantageous because each rectifier 1826Amay only need to handle ¼ of the total power. If one watt is to bedelivered to an electronic device, then each rectifier 1826F may onlyneed to handle a quarter of a watt. Arrangement 1800A may greatlydiminish cost because using a plurality of low-power rectifiers 1826Acan be cheaper than utilizing one high-power rectifier 1826A whilehandling the same amount of power. In some embodiments, the total powerhandled by rectifier 1826A can be combined into one DC-DC converter1828A. In other embodiments, there may a DC-DC converter 1828A perrectifier 1826A.

2. Multiple Antenna Elements Connected in Parallel to a Rectifier

FIG. 18B illustrates an arrangement 1800B where multiple antennaelements 1824B may be connected in parallel to a rectifier 1826B, afterwhich DC voltage may be regulated through a DC-DC converter 1828B. Inthis example, four antenna elements 1824B may be connected in parallelto a single rectifier 1826B. Arrangement 1800B may be advantageousbecause each antenna element 1824B may only handle ¼ of the total power.In addition, arrangement 1800B may enable usage of antenna element 1824Bof different polarizations with a single rectifier 1826B because signalsmay not cancel each other. Because of the foregoing property,arrangement 1800B may be suitable for electronic devices with anorientation that is not well-defined or otherwise varies over time.Lastly, arrangement 1800B may be beneficial when using antenna element1824B of equal polarization and configured for phases that do not differgreatly. In some embodiments, however, there can be a rectifier 1826Bper antenna element 1824B or multiple rectifiers 1826B (as described inFIG. 18A) per antenna element 1824B.

3. Multiple Antenna Elements Connected in Parallel to MultipleRectifiers

FIG. 19A illustrates an arrangement 1900A where multiple antennaelements 1924A outputs can be combined and connected to parallelrectifier 1926A whose output may further be combined in one DC converter1928A. Arrangement 1900A shows, by way of exemplification, 16 antennaelements 1924A whose output may be combined at four parallel rectifiers1926A. In other embodiments, antenna elements 1924A may be subdivided ingroups (e.g., four groups) and may connect to independent rectifiers asshown in FIG. 19B below.

4. Permutations of Groupings

FIG. 19B illustrates an arrangement 1900B where groups of antennaelements 1624B may be connected to different rectifiers 1926B, which mayin turn also be connected to different DC converters 1928B. Inarrangement 1900B, four groups of antenna elements 1924B (eachcontaining four antenna elements 1924B in parallel) may each connectindependently to four rectifiers 1926B. In this embodiment, the outputof each rectifiers 1926B may connect directly to a DC converter 1928B(four in total). In other embodiments, the output of all four rectifiers1926B can be combined, before each DC converter 1928B, to handle thetotal power in parallel. In other embodiments, the combined outputs ofeach rectifier 1926B may connect to a single DC converter 1928B.Arrangement 1900B may be beneficial in that it allows great proximitybetween rectifier 1926B and antenna element 1924B. This property may bedesirable as it may keep losses at a minimum.

A receiver may be implemented on, connected to or embedded in electronicdevices or equipment that may rely on power for performing its intendedfunctions, for example a phone, laptop computer, a television remote, achildren's toys or any other such devices. A receiver utilizingpocket-forming can be used to fully charge a device's battery whilebeing “On” or “Off,” or while being used or not. In addition, batterylifetime can be greatly enhanced. For example, a device operating on twowatts utilizing a receiver that may deliver one watt may increase itsbattery duration up to about 50%. Lastly, some devices currently runningon batteries can fully be powered using a receiver after which a batterymay no longer be required. This last property may be beneficial fordevices where replacing batteries can be tedious or hard to accomplishsuch as in wall-clocks. Embodiments below provide some examples of howintegration of receivers may be carried out on electronic devices.

5. Enhanced Wireless Power Receiver Configuration

FIG. 33 shows a block diagram of receiver 3320 which can be used forwireless powering or charging one or more electronic devices. Accordingto some aspects of this embodiment, receiver 3320 may operate with thevariable power source generated from transmitted RF waves to deliverconstant and stable power or energy to electronic device. In addition,receiver 3320 may use the variable power source generated from RF wavesto power up electronic components within receiver 3320 for properoperation.

Receiver 3320 may be integrated in electronic device and may include ahousing that can be made of any suitable material to allow for signal orwave transmission and/or reception, for example plastic or hard rubber.This housing may be an external hardware that may be added to differentelectronic equipment, for example in the form of cases, or can beembedded within electronic equipment as well.

Receiver 3320 may include an antenna array 3386 which may convert RFwaves or pockets of energy into electrical power. Antenna array 3386 mayinclude one or more antenna elements 3324 operatively coupled with oneor more rectifiers 3326. RF waves may exhibit a sinusoidal shape withina voltage amplitude and power range that may depend on characteristicsof transmitter and the environment of transmission. The environment oftransmission may be affected by changes to or movement of objects withinthe physical boundaries, or movement of the boundaries themselves. Itmay be also affected by changes to the medium of transmission; forexample, changes to air temperature or humidity. As a result, thevoltage or power generated by antenna array 3386 at receiver 3320 may bevariable. As an illustrative embodiment, and not by way of limitation,the alternating current (AC) voltage or power generated by antennaelement 3324 from transmitted RF waves or pocket of energy may vary fromabout 0 volts or 0 watts to about 5 volts at 3 watts.

Antenna element 3324 may include suitable antenna types for operating infrequency bands similar to the bands described for transmitter. Antennaelement 3324 may include vertical or horizontal polarization, right handor left hand polarization, elliptical polarization, or other suitablepolarizations as well as suitable polarization combinations. Usingmultiple polarizations can be beneficial in devices where there may notbe a preferred orientation during usage or whose orientation may varycontinuously through time, for example electronic device. On thecontrary, for devices with well-defined orientations, for example atwo-handed video game controller, there might be a preferredpolarization for antennas which may dictate a ratio for the number ofantennas of a given polarization. Suitable antenna types may includepatch antennas with heights from about ⅛ inches to about 6 inches andwidths from about ⅛ inches to about 6 inches. Patch antennas may havethe advantage that polarization may depend on connectivity, i.e.depending on which side the patch is fed, the polarization may change.This may further prove advantageous as receiver 3320 may dynamicallymodify its antenna polarization to optimize wireless power transmission.

Rectifier 3326 may include diodes or resistors, inductors or capacitorsto rectify the AC voltage generated by antenna element 3324 to directcurrent (DC) voltage. Rectifier 3326 may be placed as close as istechnically possible to antenna element 3324 to minimize losses. In oneembodiment, rectifier 3326 may operate in synchronous mode, in whichcase rectifier 3326 may include switching elements that may improve theefficiency of rectification. As an illustrative embodiment, and not byway of limitation, output of rectifier 3326 may vary from about 0 voltsto about 5 volts.

An input boost converter can be included in receiver 3320 to convert thevariable DC output voltage of rectifier 3326 into a more stable DCvoltage that can be used by components of receiver 3320 and/orelectronic device. Input boost converter 3258 may operate as a step-upDC-to-DC converter to increase the voltage from rectifier 3326 to avoltage level suitable for proper operation of receiver 3320. As anillustrative embodiment, and not by way of limitation, input boostconverter 3258 may operate with input voltages of at least 0.4 volts toabout 5 volts to produce an output voltage of about 5 volts. Inaddition, input boost converter may reduce or eliminate rail-to-raildeviations. In one embodiment, input boost converter may exhibit asynchronous topology to increase power conversion efficiency.

As the voltage or power generated from RF waves may be zero at someinstants of wireless power transmission, receiver 3320 can include astorage element 3352 to store energy or electric charge from the outputvoltage produced by input boost converter. In this way, storage element3352, through an output boost converter, may deliver continuous voltageor power to a load, where this load may represent the battery orinternal circuitry of electronic device requiring continuous powering orcharging. For example, load may be the battery of a mobile phonerequiring constant delivery of 5 volts at 2.5 watts.

Storage element 3352 may include a battery 3392 to store power orelectric charge from the power received from input boost converter 3258.Battery 3392 may be of different types, including but not limited to,alkaline, nickel-cadmium (NiCd), nickel-metal hydride (NiHM), andlithium-ion, among others. Battery 3392 may exhibit shapes anddimensions suitable for fitting receiver 3320, while charging capacityand cell design of battery 3392 may depend on load requirements. Forexample, for charging or powering a mobile phone, battery 3392 maydeliver a voltage from about 3 volts to about 4.2 volts.

In another embodiment, storage element 3352 may include a capacitorinstead of battery 3392 for storing and delivering electrical charge asrequired by the receiver. As a way of example, in the case of chargingor powering a mobile phone, receiver 3320 may include a capacitor withoperational parameters suitable for matching load requirements.

Receiver 3320 may also include output boost converter operativelycoupled with storage element 3352 and input boost converter, where thisoutput boost converter may be used for matching impedance and powerrequirements of load. As an illustrative embodiment, and not by way oflimitation, output boost converter may increase the output voltage ofbattery 3392 from about 3 or 4.2 volts to about 5 volts which may be thevoltage required by the battery or internal circuitry of electronicdevice. Similarly to input boost converter, output boost converter maybe based on a synchronous topology for enhancing power conversionefficiency.

Storage element 3352 may provide power or voltage to a communicationsubsystem which may include a low-dropout regulator (LDO), amicrocontroller, and an electrically erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EEPROM). LDO may function as a DC linear voltage regulator toprovide a steady voltage suitable for low energy applications as inmicrocontroller. Microcontroller may be operatively coupled with EEPROMto store data pertaining the operation and monitoring of receiver 3320.Microcontroller may also include a clock (CLK) input and general purposeinputs/outputs (GPIOs).

In one embodiment, microcontroller in conjunction with EEPROM may run analgorithm for controlling the operation of input and output boostconverters, according to load requirements. Microcontroller may activelymonitor the overall operation of receiver 3320 by taking one or morepower measurements 3388 (ADC) at different nodes. For example,microcontroller may measure how much voltage or power is being deliveredat rectifier 3326, input boost converter, battery 3392, output boostconverter, communication subsystem, and/or load. Microcontroller maycommunicate these power measurements 3388 to load so that electronicdevice may know how much power it can pull from receiver 3320. Inanother embodiment, microcontroller, based on power measurements 3388,may control the power or voltage delivered at load by adjusting the loadcurrent limits at output boost converter. Yet in another embodiment, amaximum power point tracking (MPPT) algorithm may be executed bymicrocontroller to control and optimize the amount of power that inputboost converter can pull from antenna array 3386.

In another embodiment, microcontroller may regulate how power or energycan be drained from storage element 3352 based on the monitoring ofpower measurements 3388. For example, if the power or voltage at inputboost converter runs too low, then microcontroller may direct outputboost converter to drain battery 3392 for powering load.

Receiver 3320 may include a switch 3390 for resuming or interruptingpower being delivered at load. In one embodiment, microcontroller maycontrol the operation of switch 3390 according to terms of servicescontracted by one or more users of wireless power transmission oraccording to administrator policies.

FIG. 34 shows a power conversion process 3400 that may be implemented inreceiver during wireless power transmission. According to some aspectsof this embodiment, power conversion process 3400 may allow powerextraction from RF waves and/or pockets of energy—to provide suitablevoltage or power to internal components of receiver 108 and electronicdevice.

Power conversion process 3400 may start when antenna element 3324 mayconvert RF waves and/or pockets of energy into AC voltage or power. Atstep 3451, rectifier may rectify this AC voltage or power into DCvoltage or power. At this stage, the DC voltage or power generated atrectifier may be variable depending on conditions for extracting powerfrom RF waves and/or pockets of energy. Subsequently at step 3453, inputboost converter may step up the DC voltage or power obtained fromrectifier to a voltage or power level that may be used by storageelement or other internal components of receiver. In one embodiment,input boost converter may receive an input (based on a MPPT algorithm)from microcontroller for adjusting and optimizing the amount of powerthat can be pulled from antenna array. At this stage, the stabilized andincreased voltage at input boost converter may be directly utilized byload, but it may not be continuous at all times given the inherentlycharacteristics of RF waves.

The stabilized DC voltage produced by input boost converter may be usedto charge storage element, where storage element may be in the form of abattery or a capacitor, at step 3455. Storage element may maintainsuitable charging levels at all times for delivering continuous power toload. In addition, storage element may provide suitable power or voltageto communication subsystem.

The voltage or power generated by storage element can be step up byoutput boost converter to match impedance and power requirements ofload, at step 3457. In one embodiment, microcontroller may set upcurrent limits at output boost converter to adjust the amount of powerbeing delivered at load according to the application.

After the second boost conversion, output boost converter may now supplystable and continuous power or voltage to load within suitableelectrical specifications for charging or powering electronic devicewhich may be operatively coupled with receiver, at step 3459.

Microcontroller may control switch to interrupt or resume the deliveryof power or voltage at load according to terms of services contracted byusers of wireless power transmission. For example, if wireless powertransmission is a service provided to a user of receiver, thenmicrocontroller, through the use of switch, can interrupt or resume thepowering or charging of electronic device according to the status ofuser's contract. Furthermore, microcontroller may regulate the operationof switch based on charging or powering priorities established for oneor more electronic devices. For example, microcontroller may open switchif the electronic device coupled with receiver has a lower powering orcharging priority compared to another electronic device coupled with asuitable receiver that may require charging and that may have a higherpriority for charging. In this case, transmitter may direct RF wavestowards the receiver coupled with the electronic device with highercharging or powering priority.

6. Embedded Receiver

FIG. 20A illustrates an implementation scheme where a device 2000A thatmay represent a typical phone, computer or other electronic device mayinclude an embedded receiver 2020A. Device 2000A may also include apower source, a communications component 2030A, and a processor.Receiver 2020A way utilize pocket-forming for providing power to powersource from device 2000A. In addition, receiver 2020A can use built-incommunications component 2030A of device 2000A (for example, Bluetooth)for communicating to a given transmitter based on requirements providedby processor such as battery level, user predefined charging profile orothers.

7. Battery with an Embedded Receiver

FIG. 20B illustrates another implementation scheme where a device 2000Bmay include a battery with an embedded receiver 2020B. Battery mayreceive power wirelessly through pocket-forming and may charge throughits embedded receiver 2020B. Battery may function as a supply for powersource, or may function as back-up supply. This configuration may beadvantageous in that battery may not need to be removed for charging.This may particularly be helpful in gaming controllers, or gamingdevices where batteries, typically AA or AAA may be continuouslyreplaced.

8. External Communication Component

FIG. 20C illustrates an alternate implementation scheme 2000C wherereceiver 2020C and a communications component 2030C may be included inan external hardware that may be attached to a device. Hardware can takeappropriate forms such as cases that may be placed on phones, computers,remote controllers and others, which may connect thorough suitableinterfaces such as Universal Serial Bus (USB). In other embodiments,hardware may be printed on flexible films, which may then be pasted orotherwise attached to electronic equipment. This option may beadvantageous as it may be produced at low cost and can easily beintegrated into various devices. As in previous embodiments, acommunications component 2030C may be included in hardware that mayprovide communication to a transmitter or to electronic equipment ingeneral.

9. Casing or Housing of Receiver Connecting to USB

FIG. 21A illustrates hardware in the form of case including a receiver2102A that may connect through flex cables or USB to a smartphone and/orany other electronic device. In other embodiments, the housing or casecan be a computer case, phone case, and/or camera case among other suchoptions.

10. PCB on Printed Film

FIG. 21B illustrates hardware in the form of a printed film or flexibleprinted circuit board (PCB) which may include a plurality of printedreceivers 2102B. Printed film can be pasted or otherwise attached toelectronic devices and can connect trough suitable interfaces such asUSB. Printed film may be advantageous in that sections can be cut fromit to meet specific electronic device sizes and/or requirements. Theefficiency of wireless power transmission as well as the amount of powerthat can be delivered (using pocket-forming) may be a function of thetotal number of antenna elements used in a given receiver andtransmitter system. For example, for delivering about one watt at about15 feet, a receiver may include about 80 antenna elements while atransmitter may include about 256 antenna elements. Another identicalwireless power transmission system (about 1 watt, at about 15 feet) mayinclude a receiver with about 40 antenna elements, and a transmitterwith about 512 antenna elements. Reducing in half the number of antennaelements in a receiver may require doubling the number of antennaelements in a transmitter. In some cases, it may be cost-effective toput a greater number of antenna elements in a transmitter than in areceiver. However, the opposite can be achieved (placing more antennaelements on a receiver than on a transmitter), as long as there are atleast two antenna elements in a transmitter.

II. Antenna Hardware and Functionality

A. Spacing Configuration

FIG. 22 illustrates internal hardware, where receiver 2220 may be usedfor receiving wireless power transmission in an electronic device 2252(e.g., smartphone). In some implementations, the electronic device 2252may include receiver 2220, which may be embedded around the internaledge of the case 2254 (e.g., smartphone case) of the electronic device2252. In other embodiments, the receiver 2220 may be implementedcovering the back side of the case 2254. The case 2254 may be one ormore of: a smartphone cover, a laptop cover, camera cover, GPS cover, agame controller cover and/or tablet cover, among other such options. Thecase 2254 may be made out of plastic, rubber and/or any other suitablematerial.

Receiver 2220 may include an array of antenna elements 2224strategically distributed on the grid area shown in FIG. 22. The case2254 may include an array of antenna elements 2224 located around theedges and/or along the backside of case 2254 for optimal reception. Thenumber, spacing, and type of antenna elements 2224 may be calculatedaccording to the design, size, and/or type of electronic device 2252. Insome embodiments, there may be a spacing (e.g., 1 mm-4 mm) and/or ameta-material between the case 2254 containing the antenna element 2224and the electronic device 2252. The spacing and/or meta-material mayprovide additional gain for RF signals. In some implementations, themeta-materials may be used in creating a multi-layer PCB to implementinto the case 2254.

B. Metamaterial

The internal hardware may be in the form of a printed film 2256 and/orflexible PCB may include different components, such as a plurality ofprinted antenna elements 2224 (connected with each other in serial,parallel, or combined), rectifier, and power converter elements. Printedfilm 2256 may be pasted or otherwise attached to any suitable electronicdevices, such as electronic device 2252 and/or tablets. Printed film2256 may be connected through any suitable interfaces such as flexiblecables 2258. Printed film 2256 may exhibit some benefits; one of thosebenefits may be that sections can be cut from it to meet specific smartmobile device sizes and/or requirements. According to one embodiment,the spacing between antenna elements 2224 for receiver 2220 may rangefrom about 2 nm to about 12 nm, being most suitable about 7 nm.Additionally, in some implementations, the optimal amount of antennaelements 2224 that may be used in receiver 2220 for an electronic device2252 such as a smartphone may range from about 20 to about 30. However,the amount of antenna elements 2224 within receiver 2220 may varyaccording to electronic device 2252 design and size. Antenna element2224 may be made of different conductive materials such as cooper, gold,and silver, among others. Furthermore, antenna element 2224 may beprinted, etched, or laminated onto any suitable non-conductive flexiblesubstrate, such as flexible PCB, among others. The disclosedconfiguration and orientation of antenna element 2224 may exhibit abetter reception, efficiency, and performance of wireless charging.

C. Internal Hardware

FIG. 32 illustrates internal hardware 3200, where receiver 3220 may beused for wireless power transmission in smartphones 3252. FIG. 32 showsa first embodiment where smartphone 3252 may include receiver 3220embedded around the internal edge of smartphone 3252's case. Receiver3220 may include an array of antenna elements 3224 strategicallydistributed on the grid area. Receiver may refer to a device includingat least one antenna element, at least one rectifying circuit and atleast one power converter, which may utilize pockets of energy forpowering, or charging a client device.

The number and type of antenna elements 3224 may be calculated accordingto smartphone 3252's design. When charging an electronic device, forexample a phone (smartphone) or laptop computer, initial high currentswhich can exceed the minimum voltage needed to activate the operation ofan electronic switched mode DC-DC converter may be required. In such acase, a capacitor (not shown) may be added at the output of receiver3220 to provide the extra energy required. Afterwards, lower power canbe provided, for example 1/80 of the total initial power while havingthe phone or laptop still build-up charge. Charge may refer to theconversion of RF energy into electrical energy by a receiver, using anantenna, where the electrical energy may be transmitted through anelectrical circuit connection from the receiver to an electricallyconnected client device, where the transmitted energy may be used by thedevice to charge its battery, to power its functions, and/or anycombination. Client device may refer to any device that is to receivewireless power, through an electrical connection with a wireless powerreceiver, from a wireless transmitter, in a wireless power transmissionsystem. The client device may be a computer, a laptop computer, a mobileelectronic device such as a smart phone, an electronic toy, a remotecontrol for a television or other consumer device, or any electronicdevice or electrical device to be powered wirelessly.

Lastly, communications component, may be included in receiver 3220 tocommunicate with transmitter or to other electronic equipment.Transmitter may refer to a device, including a chip which may generatetwo or more RF signals, at least one RF signal being phase shifted andgain adjusted with respect to other RF signals, substantially all ofwhich pass through one or more RF antenna such that focused RF signalsare directed to a target.

Different antenna, rectifier or power converter arrangements arepossible for a receiver as will be explained in following embodiments.Particularly, internal hardware 3200 in the form of a printed film 3256or flexible printed circuit board (PCB) may include differentcomponents, such as a plurality of printed antenna elements 3224(connected with each other in serial, parallel, or combined), rectifier206, and power converter 3229 elements. Printed film 3256 may be pastedor otherwise attached to any electronic devices, such as smartphones3252 or tablets and may be connected through any interfaces such asflexible cables. Printed film 3256 may exhibit some benefits, one ofthose benefits may be that sections can be cut from it to meet specificsmart mobile device sizes and/or requirements.

According to one embodiment, the spacing between antenna elements 3224for receivers 3220 may range from about 5 nm to about 12 nm. However,the amount of antennas within receivers 3220 may vary according tosmartphone 3252's design and size. Antenna elements 3224 may be made ofdifferent conductive materials such as cooper, gold, and silver, amongothers. Furthermore, antenna elements 3224 may be printed, etched, orlaminated onto any non-conductive flexible substrate, such as flexibleprinted circuit board (PCB), among others. The disclosed configurationand orientation of antenna elements 3224 may exhibit a better reception,efficiency, and performance of wireless charging.

The foregoing method descriptions and the process flow diagrams areprovided merely as illustrative examples and are not intended to requireor imply that the steps of the various embodiments must be performed inthe order presented. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the artthe steps in the foregoing embodiments may be performed in any order.Words such as “then,” “next,” and the like, are not intended to limitthe order of the steps; these words are simply used to guide the readerthrough the description of the methods. Although process flow diagramsmay describe the operations as a sequential process, many of theoperations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition,the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process may correspondto a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a subprogram, etc.When a process corresponds to a function, its termination may correspondto a return of the function to the calling function or the mainfunction.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, andalgorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosedherein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, orcombinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability ofhardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules,circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms oftheir functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented ashardware or software depends upon the particular application and designconstraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans mayimplement the described functionality in varying ways for eachparticular application, but such implementation decisions should not beinterpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the presentinvention.

Embodiments implemented in computer software may be implemented insoftware, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware descriptionlanguages, or any combination thereof. A code segment ormachine-executable instructions may represent a procedure, a function, asubprogram, a program, a routine, a subroutine, a module, a softwarepackage, a class, or any combination of instructions, data structures,or program statements. A code segment may be coupled to another codesegment or a hardware circuit by passing and/or receiving information,data, arguments, parameters, or memory contents. Information, arguments,parameters, data, etc. may be passed, forwarded, or transmitted via anysuitable means including memory sharing, message passing, token passing,network transmission, etc.

The actual software code or specialized control hardware used toimplement these systems and methods is not limiting of the invention.Thus, the operation and behavior of the systems and methods weredescribed without reference to the specific software code beingunderstood that software and control hardware can be designed toimplement the systems and methods based on the description herein.

When implemented in software, the functions may be stored as one or moreinstructions or code on a non-transitory computer-readable orprocessor-readable storage medium. The steps of a method or algorithmdisclosed herein may be embodied in a processor-executable softwaremodule that may reside on a computer-readable or processor-readablestorage medium. A non-transitory computer-readable or processor-readablemedia includes both computer storage media and tangible storage mediathat facilitate transfer of a computer program from one place toanother. A non-transitory processor-readable storage media may be anyavailable media that may be accessed by a computer. By way of example,and not limitation, such non-transitory processor-readable media maycomprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage,magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any othertangible storage medium that may be used to store desired program codein the form of instructions or data structures and that may be accessedby a computer or processor. Disk and disc, as used herein, includecompact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc(DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce datamagnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers.Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope ofcomputer-readable media. Additionally, the operations of a method oralgorithm may reside as one or any combination or set of codes and/orinstructions on a non-transitory processor-readable medium and/orcomputer-readable medium, which may be incorporated into a computerprogram product.

The preceding description of the disclosed embodiments is provided toenable any person skilled in the art to make or use the presentinvention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles definedherein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from thespirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is notintended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to beaccorded the widest scope consistent with the following claims and theprinciples and novel features disclosed herein.

While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed, other aspectsand embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects and embodimentsdisclosed are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to belimiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A far-field wireless power transmission systemcomprising: a base station comprising a controller connected to a powersource; and a plurality of far-field transmitters connected to the basestation, each of the far-field transmitters comprising respective one ormore integrated circuits, and a respective set of antenna elements,wherein each of the plurality of far-field transmitters is assigned to arespective coverage area, wherein: the controller of the base station isconfigured to (i) determine one or more particular far-fieldtransmitters of the plurality of far-field transmitters to use totransmit wirelessly delivered power to a receiver located in arespective coverage area assigned to the one or more particularfar-field transmitters, and (ii) provide an instruction to the one ormore particular far-field transmitters to begin delivering wirelesspower to the receiver, and after receiving the instruction: the one ormore particular far-field transmitters are configured to generatefar-field power transmission waves via respective one or more integratedcircuits and respective sets of antenna elements of the one or moreparticular far-field transmitters, the far-field power transmissionwaves forming a constructive interference pattern as a pocket of energyfrom which the receiver receives energy that is used to power anelectronic device coupled with the receiver.
 2. The far-field wirelesspower transmission system of claim 1, wherein the base station includesa housing for the controller and the power source.
 3. The far-fieldwireless power transmission system of claim 1, wherein each of theplurality of far-field transmitters includes a communication componentconfigured for communicating with the electronic device within range todetermine powering levels.
 4. The far-field wireless power transmissionsystem of claim 3, wherein each of the far-field transmitters includes ahousing for respective one or more integrated circuits and a respectiveset of antenna elements.
 5. The far-field wireless power transmissionsystem of claim 1, wherein the base station is linked to each of theplurality of far-field transmitters through a connection comprising acoaxial cable, phone cable, Local Area Network (LAN) cable, or Wi-Fi. 6.The far-field wireless power transmission system of claim 3, wherein thereceiver communicates with the one or more particular far-fieldtransmitters via respective communication components of the one or moreparticular far-field transmitters through wireless communicationprotocols to provide power level information for the electronic device.7. The far-field wireless power transmission system of claim 1, whereinrespective far-field transmitters of the plurality of far-fieldtransmitters are capable of powering multiple receivers connected toelectronic devices, wherein the respective far-field transmitters of theplurality of far-field transmitters are configured to provide differentpowering or charging levels corresponding to each of the electronicdevices.
 8. The far-field wireless power transmission system of claim 4,wherein components of the base station and the plurality of far-fieldtransmitters are manufactured from meta-materials, micro-printing ofcircuits, or nano-materials.
 9. The far-field wireless powertransmission system of claim 1, wherein the generation of far-fieldpower transmission waves by the one or more particular far-fieldtransmitters is controlled by the respective one or more integratedcircuits utilizing components including oscillators and piezoelectriccrystals configured to create and change radio frequencies in differentantenna elements of the respective sets of antenna elements connected tothe respective one or more integrated circuits.
 10. The far-fieldwireless power transmission system claim 1, wherein the controller inthe base station is configured to instruct a different far-fieldtransmitter of the plurality of far-field transmitters to begintransmitting wirelessly delivered power when an additional receiver iswithin a respective coverage area assigned to the different far-fieldtransmitter, wherein the different far-field transmitter is configuredto operate at a different frequency, a different power intensity, and adifferent range to power an additional electronic device that is coupledwith the additional receiver.
 11. The far-field wireless powertransmission system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality offar-field transmitters is plugged into a light socket.
 12. The far-fieldwireless power transmission system of claim 1, wherein each of theplurality of far-field transmitters is configured to operate atdifferent frequencies, power intensities, and different ranges.
 13. Thefar-field wireless power transmission system of claim 1, wherein therespective sets of one or more antenna elements of the one or moreparticular far-field transmitters are regulated by the controller of thebase station via the respective one or more integrated circuits of theone or more particular far-field transmitters to form a plurality ofdesired constructive interference patterns near different locations asthe receiver moves within the respective coverage area.
 14. Thefar-field wireless power transmission system of claim 1, wherein thepower source is used by the base station to feed generation of thefar-field power transmission waves by the one or more particularfar-field transmitters.
 15. The far-field wireless power transmissionsystem of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured todetermine a time and location to form the constructive interferencepattern.
 16. The far-field wireless power transmission system of claim1, wherein the respective coverage area assigned to the one or morefar-field transmitters corresponds to a room within a structure.
 17. Amethod, comprising: providing a base station that comprises a controllerconnected to a power source, and the base station is connected to aplurality of far-field transmitters, wherein each of the far-fieldtransmitters comprises respective one or more integrated circuits and arespective set of antenna elements, and each of the plurality offar-field transmitters is assigned to a respective coverage area;determining, by the controller of the base station, one or moreparticular far-field transmitters of the plurality of far-fieldtransmitters to use to transmit wirelessly delivered power to a receiverlocated in a respective coverage area assigned to the one or moreparticular far-field transmitters; and providing, by the controller ofthe base station, an instruction to the one or more particular far-fieldtransmitters to begin delivering wireless power to the receiver; andafter receiving the instruction, generating, by the one or moreparticular far-field transmitters, far-field power transmission wavesvia respective one or more integrated circuits and respective sets ofantenna elements of the one or more particular far-field transmitters,the far-field power transmission waves forming a constructiveinterference pattern from which the receiver receives energy that isused to power an electronic device coupled with the receiver.
 18. Themethod of claim 17, further comprising: determining by the controller ofthe base station, an additional far-field transmitter of the pluralityof far-field transmitters to use to transmit wirelessly delivered powerto an additional receiver that is in a different coverage area assignedto the additional far-field transmitter; and providing, by thecontroller of the base station, a new instruction to the additionalfar-field transmitter to begin delivering wireless power to theadditional receiver.
 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:regulating, by the controller of the base station, the respective setsof one or more antenna elements of the one or more particular far-fieldtransmitters via the respective one or more integrated circuits of theone or more particular far-field transmitters to form a plurality ofdesired constructive interference patterns near different locations asthe receiver moves within the respective coverage area.
 20. The methodof claim 18, wherein: the respective coverage area assigned to the oneor more far-field transmitters corresponds to a room within a structure,and the different coverage area assigned to the additional far-fieldtransmitter corresponds a different room, distinct from the room, withinthe structure.